Carola Neher, a multifaceted German performer, made a significant impact on the stage and screen through her exceptional acting and singing talents.
In 1926, Neher relocated to Berlin, where she collaborated with renowned playwright Bertolt Brecht, who specifically crafted the role of Polly Peachum in "The Threepenny Opera" for her.
During her time in Berlin, Neher not only honed her acting skills but also pursued a unique hobby - boxing. Under the guidance of Turkish trainer and prizefighter Sabri Mahir, she trained at his studio, which had become a popular destination for female patrons, including Vicki Baum and Marlene Dietrich, in the 1920s.
Neher's bold personality and unconventional lifestyle earned her the nickname "New Woman," as she challenged traditional gender norms and expectations.
In 1932, following Adolf Hitler's rise to power in Germany, Neher chose to emigrate, initially settling in Prague, where she worked at the New German Theater. However, she eventually relocated to the Soviet Union in 1934, where she crossed paths with Gustav von Wangenheim and joined him at his Cabaret Kolonne Links.
Tragedy struck in 1936, when Neher, under duress during the Great Purge, denounced herself as a Trotsky supporter and was arrested on July 25th of that year. Subsequently, she was sentenced to a decade-long imprisonment and was sent to the notorious Black Dolphin Prison near Orenburg in Russia.
Sadly, Neher's life was cut short when she succumbed to typhus on June 26, 1942, at the age of 41, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire and fascinate to this day.
