With Paulus Manker, Dr. Gerhard Schmid has invited one of the most enigmatic and successful personalities of the Austrian cultural landscape, who has had a decisive influence on the local theatre and film scene as an actor, director and author. Paulus Manker has appeared in films by Oscar winner Michael Haneke together with Juliette Binoche, among others, and was seen alongside Michel Piccoli in Luc Bondy's film Das weite Land (The Wide Country). He has also worked on films by Alexander Kluge, Joseph Vilsmaier and Michael Glawogger. In the theatre, Paulus Manker was involved in Christoph Schlingensief's legendary art project "Ausländer Raus!" and played numerous roles as an ensemble member under Claus Peymann at Vienna's Burgtheater. In August 2022, his multi-award-winning production ALMA about the life of the composer and artist muse Alma Mahler-Werfel celebrated its 25th anniversary; over 500 performances were given at home and abroad. Last year, Manker's extensive book about this exceptional production, The Great Alma Mahler Album, was published. Paulus Manker and Dr. Gerhard Schmid talk about this and the importance of immediacy in the theatrical experience in a Zeit.Gespräch that inspires, stimulates and lets you experience.