Esche, Eberhard

(1933- )

   Actor. Esche was one of the outstanding actors of the German Democratic Republic, whose vocal resonance and commanding presence on stage brought him several classical roles at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin, where he worked from 1961 onward. Esche began his career in Meiningen, Erfurt, and other East German regional theaters in the mid-1950s. Among his most significant roles at the Deutsches was Wallenstein, which he played beginning in 1979. Esche also appeared in several East German films, including the highly respected and controversial Spur der Steine (The Trace of Stones) in 1966.