Vienna prosecutors charge theatre director Paulus Manker

Vienna prosecutors have charged theatre director Paulus Manker with breach of trust and fraudulent bankruptcy over a dispute about performances at the Südbahnhotel, ORF reported. Manker denies the allegations.

Prosecutors allege that Manker arranged for ticket revenue from the production “Alma – A Show Biz ans Ende” to be paid into accounts held by Alma Theaterproduktion GmbH and later the Kulturaktiv association, rather than into the account of S&W Kulturmanagement GmbH, as agreed. The proceeds were supposed to be divided after production costs had been covered.

The prosecution says the arrangement enriched Manker by about 350,000 euros. It also alleges that in 2023 he moved assets belonging to Alma Theaterproduktion GmbH, of which he was managing director, to prevent creditors from being paid. Insolvency proceedings against the company began in August 2024.

Manker said he “categorically and firmly” rejects the accusations, calling them unfounded. He said all income had been used exclusively and verifiably to finance his theatre productions, and described the case as a revenge act by the Südbahnhotel’s owner.

Manker’s productions at the hotel ended after it was forcibly cleared at the end of 2024, at a cost of 96,000 euros. S&W had previously sought about 427,000 euros in damages as a private party in the case.