Hildegard Maria Bechtler (born 14 November 1951) is a German costume and set designer. Born in Baden and raised in Stuttgart, she moved to London in the 1970s and has been working there ever since. She has created designs for numerous plays on the London stage. She has also worked extensively in opera. She won the 2011 Olivier Award for Best Costume Design for her work on the National Theatre revival of After the Dance, and was nominated for the 2026 Tony Award for Best Scenic Design of a Play for Oedipus.
Personal life In 1984, Bechtler married the actor Bill Paterson. They have a son and daughter.
Stage credits YearTitleRoleVenueRef.2005PrimoScenic Designer, Costume DesignerBroadway, Music Box Theatre2006My Name is Rachel CorrieDesignerOff-Broadway, Minetta Lane Theatre2008The SeagullCostume DesignerBroadway, Walter Kerr Theatre2009Hedda GablerScenic DesignerBroadway, American Airlines Theatre2011Blithe SpiritScenic Designer, Costume DesignerWest End, Apollo TheatreArcadiaScenic DesignerBroadway, Ethel Barrymore Theatre2012Top HatWest End, Aldwych Theatre2015OresteiaDesignerWest End, Trafalgar Theatre2017HamletCostume DesignerWest End, Almeida TheatreWest End, Harold Pinter Theatre2018Mary StuartScenic Designer, Costume DesignerWest End, Duke of York's Theatre2019HansardWest End, National TheatreA Taste of HoneyWest End, Trafalgar Theatre2021Four QuartetsWest End, Harold Pinter Theatre2022HamletOff-Broadway, Park Avenue ArmoryOresteia2024OedipusScenic DesignWest End, Wyndham's TheatreDr. StrangeloveScenic Designer, Costume DesignerWest End, Noël Coward Theatre2025ManhuntDesignerWest End, Royal Court TheatreOedipusScenic DesignBroadway, Studio 542026Romeo and JulietScenic Designer, Costume DesignerWest End, Harold Pinter TheatreThe Lives of OthersScenic DesignerWest End, Adelphi Theatre
Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.2011Laurence Olivier AwardBest Costume DesignAfter the Dance2016Best Set DesignOresteia2026Tony AwardBest Scenic Design of a PlayOedipus
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