Theatre entertainment in Germany
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A
Musikhalle
The premier address for classical concerts is this splendid neobaroque edifice, home to the State Philharmonic Orchestra, among others. Along with the opera house, it's now artistically directed by the world's leading female conductor, Australian Simone Young.
reviewed
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Bayerisches Staatsschauspiel
This leading ensemble has a bit of a conservative streak but still manages to find relevance for today's mad mad world in works by Shakespeare, Schiller and other tried-and-true playwrights. Performances are in the Residenztheater (M024A), the Theater im Marstall (MarstallstrasseM024B) and the theatre in the Haus der Kunst (M02D4).
reviewed
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B
Grips Theater
The Grips is the best, and best-known, of Berlin’s youth stages, producing high-quality topical and critical plays that are suitable for older children and teenagers. The regular productions of director Volker Ludwig’s highly successful U-Bahn musical Linie 1 are a definite highlight.
reviewed
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C
Friedrichstadtpalast
Marlene Dietrich and Ella Fitzgerald have graced the stage of this 1920s vintage palace. Today, Europe's largest revue theatre does mostly glitzy-glam Vegas-style productions with leggy showgirls in skimpy costumes and feather boas. Since it's hard to fill the 2000 seats, its future is uncertain.
reviewed
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D
Hebbel am Ufer
In 2003 the Hebbel Theater merged with the nearby Theater am Hallesches Ufer and Theater am Ufer to create the HAU, which promptly won Theatre of the Year in 2004. With an emphasis on modern, experimental drama and dance on all three stages, this is a serious presence on the avant-garde scene.
reviewed
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E
Kammermusiksaal
Bonn's entertainment scene is especially strong in the field of classical music. A calendar highlight is the Beethovenfest in late September with several dozen concerts held in venues around town including the intimate Kammermusiksaal next to the Beethoven Haus.
reviewed
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F
Deutsches Theater
Berlin's top theatre has reeled in numerous thespian awards, including Theatre of the Year in 2008. Plays are also performed in the smaller Kammerspiele, next door, and at Box + Bar, an 80-seat space with cocktail bar that presents edgy and experimental fare.
reviewed
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G
Maxim Gorki Theater
The smallest and least subsidised of the state-funded theatres, the Gorki habitually stages a good mix of traditional and modern pieces, and quality is uniformly high. Expect plenty of fresh contemporary works under newish (since 2006) director Armin Petras.
reviewed
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H
Theater des Westens
This is Berlin’s traditional venue for German-language productions of big-name musicals, hosting both touring and home-grown companies. It’s a good stage but quality varies widely and the cheapest seats tend to have lousy views.
reviewed
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I
Admiralspalast
This beautifully restored 1920s party palace stages crowd-pleasing plays, concerts and musicals in its elegant historic hall, and more intimate shows - including comedy, readings, dance, concerts and theatre - on two smaller stages.
reviewed
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J
Schaubühne am Lehniner Platz
The western city owes any cutting- edge theatrical credentials to this former 1920s cinema, rescued from bland obscurity under the forceful leadership of director Thomas Ostermeier. Some performances feature English surtitles.
reviewed
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K
Schaubude Berlin
Not just for the kiddiewinks – the professional puppeteers here take their art ser-iously, and evening shows are generally aimed at adults (performances range from Punch and Judy to Faust ).
reviewed
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L
Theater am Potsdamer Platz
Big-name musical events (such as Mamma Mia!) are showcased at this up-in-lights location, designed by none other than star architect Renzo Piano. Inside, there’s seating for 1800 and a sense of occasion.
reviewed
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M
Berliner Ensemble
Brecht's former theatre presents works by him and other European 20th-century playwrights, sprinkled with the occasional play by Shakespeare, Schiller or Lessing. The building itself is gorgeous.
reviewed
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N
Werk II
This large cultural centre in an old factory is great for catching up-and-coming bands, alternative film and theatre or even circus acts. It's also in Connewitz; take tram 9 to Connewitzer Kreuz.
reviewed
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O
Volksbühne am Rosa-Luxemburg-Platz
Nonconformist, radical and provocative; Volksbühne's head and Dostoyevsky fan Frank Castorf wouldn't have it any other way. Performances here are not for those squeamish about blood and nudity.
reviewed
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P
Blue Man Group
This musical and visual extravaganza, starring slightly nutty and energetic guys dipped in Smurf-blue latex suits, performs at its own permanent theatre, a converted IMAX now called Bluemax.
reviewed
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Q
Deutsches Theater
Recently decamped to a huge tent in Fröttmaning (near the Allianz Arena), Munich's answer to London's West End has touring road shows (usually popular musicals like Grease ).
reviewed
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R
Thalia Theater
This intimate, galleried venue with a central stage is fond of cutting-edge adaptations of classics and cinema (for example, from Krzysztof Kieślowski and Lars von Trier).
reviewed
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S
English Theatre
Predominantly British actors perform mysteries, comedies and the occasional classic, such as Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie, at this venue in Winterhude.
reviewed
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T
English Theatre Berlin
The repertoire of Berlin's oldest English-language stage includes classics, physical theatre, comedy and works by emerging writers and directors, many based in Berlin.
reviewed
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U
Theater Waidspeicher
Not only children will be enchanted by the adorable marionettes and puppets that perform at this cute theatre in a historic woad storehouse (reached via Mettengasse).
reviewed
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V
Schauspiel - Haus
Repertory theatre is based at the Schauspiel- haus, in the same complex as the Opernhaus (opera). The box office for both is in the Opernhaus foyer.
reviewed
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W
Operettenhaus
Mainstream musicals are seemingly as popular in Hamburg as they were in London during the 1990s. Big glossy musicals like Mamma Mia are staged here.
reviewed
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X
Deutsches Schauspielhaus
Germany's largest and most important theatre presents imaginative interpretations of the classics (Shakespeare, Goethe, Chekhov et al) alongside new works.
reviewed
