Episode #2 Markus Pabst in conversation with Florian Zumkehr, Dan Stern and Ernest Lukas H O.
Author-director-performer Markus Pabst talks with three artists from circus and Varieté about the physical and emotional cost of performance. Together they explore artistic invention, fierce rivalry, and the ambition that fuels, and ultimately defines, the fleeting life of a performer on stage.
English dialogue with translated subtitles- PLAY FULL SCREEN
Markus Pabst- Moderator
Markus Pabst is one of the most influential directors and authors in the German varieté and theatre scene, widely regarded as a visionary who has redefined modern varieté. His productions combine artistry, dance, acting, and music to create immersive, unconventional experiences that reflect a vibrant urban spirit. Pabst has brought new life to Berlin’s varieté theatre and achieved international acclaim, presenting shows in London, Sydney, China, Canada, and Australia. His production SOAP has toured the world for over 17 years, becoming a modern classic. He has created more than 30 shows, including Der Helle Wahnsinn, DUMMY, La Clique, and Made in Berlin, many of which have won awards at prestigious festivals such as Cirque de Demain and Monte Carlo. An engaging speaker, Pabst is frequently invited to international conferences. As an author, he has written several plays and books. Recently, he returned to the stage in KAWUMM, a poetic variety show inspired by his father.
Ernesto Lukas H O
Ernesto Lukas H O is a multimedia and visual artist who merges performance, graphic design, and conceptual art with his background in the circus. Alongside his artistic practice, he has performed as a circus acrobat, juggler, and theatrical clown, roles that inform his visually striking and often performative work. His galleries reveal a fusion of dynamic portraits, graphic compositions, and staged scenes that explore identity, movement, and symbolism. Ernesto’s practice reflects a deep engagement with storytelling through both physical performance and visual language.
Florian Zumkehr
Florian Zumkehr Acrobat, Singer-Songwriter. While still studying at the Staatliche Schule für Akrobatik in Berlin, Florian joined the original cast of the internationally acclaimed show Soap, followed by collaborations with some of the world’s largest circuses and starring on Broadway in the musical Pippin. To date Florian is touring and directing with his own productions. Recently he has created a contemporary circus piece Wilt and Shine that explores his homeland Switzerland and personal journey, featuring also his talent as a singer.
Dan Stern
DanStern is an American circus artist whose career began with juggling in Arizona before specialising in aerial straps and hand-to-hand. He toured internationally with his acclaimed bathtub straps act in SOAP and across Germany with WET, later becoming dance captain and touring rehearsal director. In 2019, he joined Cirque du Soleil’s Crystal as an acrobatic porter, touring the U.S., Europe, and U.K. He has created acts for productions in the U.S., Canada, and Germany, including a handstand act for Anton Belyakov with Cirque Bouffon (2022) and an aerial chains solo (2023). In 2024, he joined TheGogoHomeProject as catcher. Dan lives in Berlin with his dog Linda.
