Thomas Toppler was born in 1985 in Mürzzuschlag, Austria. His Dad was a train driver and his mother worked at a supermarket. Both worked their asses off to effort the education for their two sons. One became a handsome, funny, intelligent, amazing Ski jumper and later on a successful sports coach. The other son, blond, started to play the drums at the age of 6 and began his studies at the University of Music in Graz in Austria at the age of 14. He completed his master degree in classical Percussion and has since played with many different orchestras worldwide, including the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra Vienna, Volksoper Wien and Concentus Musicus.

After completing his masters degree Thomas moved to Paris where he trained at the Ècole Philippe Gaulier, a world-famous international theatre school. He completed his theatrical training in June 2012 and is a Co-Creator of the Bouffon theatre company Ship of Fools. Based in London, their last show „From the Cradle to the bin“ enjoyed a successful tour throughout the United Kingdom in 2014 and 2015. In mid 2016 he directed their most recent show called „Birds of Paradies“.

in 2013 Bryan Benner and Thomas started The Erlkings. The Erlkings are the bridge between today’s beloved genre of acoustic Singer Songwriters and the great Lied composers of the past. The songs of masters like Schubert, Schumann, Wolf, Beethoven and Haydn are rediscovered through the lens of a modern musical vocabulary and given new life in the 21st century through lovingly crafted English translations. The unusual combination of voice, guitar, cello, tuba, drums and vibraphone makes for a whole new world of sound, offering even the most conservative art song expert a chance to enjoy this repertoire as though for the first time. Concerts took place at the Wiener Konzerthaus, Konzerthaus Berlin, Schleswig Holstein Musik Festival, Wigmore Hall London, Schubertiade and many other places.

In 2013 Thomas was invited to Geneva to act in „Albahaca“, a production of the „Theatre Spiralè Company“. In April 2015, he made his film debut in an Austrian feature entitled „Blockbuster“.

In March 2014, Thomas directed a musical cabaret featuring the Austrian brass band „Da Blechhaufn“ and the „Louie’s Cage Percussion Ensemble“. In late 2015 he was commissioned to create and direct a new show for Da Blechhauf’n which premiered in February 2016.

In late 2016 he created an advertising spot for Caritas Vienna. Concerts with Orchestras and The Erlkings.

In late 2017 he created advertising spots for Caritas Vienna and for Neunerhaus, both are facilities for homeless people. In the same year he started to teach Bouffon at “Linzer Schauspielakademie”. Concerts with Orchestras and The Erlkings.

In 2018 he started to teach Physical Comedy at “Schule des Theaters” in Vienna. Concerts as well.

In 2019 he directed a short musical piece called “50 shades of Amadé” for the Mozart weeks in Salzburg. He created and directed for the third time the music group “Da Blechhauf’n”.

In 2020 we know what happened…

2021 he held his workshop “Let’s play - Interdisciplinary Performance Lab” at European Chamber Music Academy at the music festival in Grafenegg and at the Music University Vienna, directed “Der Rosenkavalier 2.0” by Richard Strauss for Weißensee Klassik Festival and toured through Europe with The Erlkings.

2022 a dream came true: he produced, wrote, directed and played in his first own Bouffon Theatre show “Ein bescheidenerer Vorschlag” which premiered at the TAG Theater in Vienna in March and won the Austrian theatre price “Nestroy” in the category “Best Fringe Production” in November. Workshops at International Summer Music Academy, WDR Orchester Cologne and at the music festival „Allegro Vivo“.

In 2023 The Erlkings recorded their 6th studio album “The Erlkings - Haydn”, premiered their new program „The Erlkings - Shakespeare“ at the Globe theatre in Neuss, Germany. He toured with his Bouffon piece through Austria and with the Erlkings through Europe.

Starting in October 2023 Thomas has a university teaching position at the Music University Vienna for „Stage Presence“.

E-Mail: ttoppler@gmx.at

Phone: +43 650 3000985