In early 2026, Berlin is preparing for a melancholic yet magnificent anniversary. It has been exactly 10 years since the passing of pop music’s chameleon, the “Thin White Duke” David Bowie. And Berlin is one of the cities that knows his spirit best. In this special January, the iconic Berliner Ensemble theatre is hosting “HEROES,” a magnificent tribute to Bowie’s Berlin years and literary world.
If you’ve seen Alexander Scheer swallow stage dust, you know how he infiltrates a character. This time, Scheer isn’t just singing Bowie songs; he embarks on a journey following his literary and musical footprints.
While living in Schöneberg from 1976–1978, Bowie didn’t just make music; he was also an avid theatre-goer and a regular at Berliner Ensemble. Scheer and his band revive Bowie’s voice, stance, and that famous “Berlin spirit” on BE’s ancient stage.
A Pop Icon Who Travelled with His Library
There’s a lesser-known but wonderful detail about Bowie that sits at the heart of this show: when touring, he carried a massive mobile library of around 1,500 books. From Dante’s Divine Comedy to Alfred Döblin, literature was the greatest fuel for his music.
Scheer’s “HEROES” is a hybrid performance oscillating between concert and reading. The literary atmosphere set on stage merges with passages from Bowie’s “100 books that changed my life” list, published three years before his death.
The Solidarity Power of Art: Live Drawings and Auction
Another very special detail elevates this show beyond a mere tribute: Reinhard Kleist. The renowned comic artist Kleist creates live drawings on stage during each performance. These drawings are auctioned off at the end of the show.
Purpose: The proceeds are donated to theatres in Berlin affected by budget cuts.
Result: More than €10,000 has already been raised. Art is saving art once again.
“If there is a Berlin anthem, it is definitely David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’.” — Alexander Scheer
Event Details
Show Title: “HEROES” – Alexander Scheer sings David Bowie
Venue: Berliner Ensemble (Großes Haus)
January 2026 Dates: 8 January (19:30), 29 January (19:30), 30 January (20:00)
Duration: Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes (no intermission)
Format: Concert, Reading, and Live Drawing Performance
Cast: Alexander Scheer & Band, Live Drawing: Reinhard Kleist
If you’re in Berlin and want to share this energy, remember that tickets are selling out fast. Hurry to secure an unforgettable night in the heart of Berlin with Alexander Scheer’s uncontainable stage energy and Bowie’s immortal songs.
