Cologne offers a wide variety of theatres. Spending an evening at the "Schauspielhaus", the official theatre of Cologne, you can experience classic plays and novels - several of them have been given awards - staged in a modern but always exciting way. If you prefer comedy, try the "Senftöpfchen" or the "Atelier Theater", where your laugh muscles will definitely be trained. If you're after something typical of Cologne, then the "Millowitsch Theater" or the "Hänneschen Theater" is the right place for you, where the actors talk in the regional dialect.

The folk theatre "Millowitsch Theater" is the most famous one in Cologne and widely known throughout the country for representing the true "Kölsche Seele", the soul of the city. It was founded in 1848, but its still lasting success started with the appearance of Willy Millowitsch in the 1940s. He became the figurehead of the theatre (and somehow the city as well) and went on acting until his death in 1999.

Theatres in Cologne

This is just a selection of theatres you could visit while staying in Cologne. All the other locations, including adress, listing of plays and further information can be found at www.theaterszene-koeln.de

Schauspielhaus
The "Schauspielhaus", with "Schlosserei" and "Halle Kalk" shows a colourful and diversified program. They have numerously been awarded for their plays. www.buehnenkoeln.de

 

Opera
Built in the 1950s, the opera offers you outstanding interpretations of classical music like "La Traviata", "Tristan and Isolde" or "Salome". www.buehnenkoeln.de

 

Musical Dome
The marquee next to the River Rhine is the home of musicals in Cologne. After the Queen musical "We will rock you" had been successfully staged for some years, Monty Python and their comedy musical "Spamalot" have moved into the blue location. From December on you can watch "Hairspray". www.musical-dome.de (German)

Millowitsch Theatre
The folk theatre has been an institution in Cologne since it was opened in 1848 as a puppet theatre.Willy Millowitsch, who died in 1999, is considered as the very personification of everything "Kölsch" or typical of Cologne. www.millowitsch.de (German)

 

Hänneschen Theatre
The puppet theatre, founded in 1802, entertains the audience mainly with humurous scripts in the local "Kölsch" dialect. The puppets personify all that is peculiar of the people of the city. www.haenneschen.de

 

Theater im Bauturm
The theatre was founded in 1983 by a group of actors commited to their profession. The private theatre stages conventional and thought-provoking plays as well as ironic and humurous ones. www.theater-im-bauturm.de

 

Studiobühne
Founded during the wild and debating 1960s, the "Studiobühne" still creates unconventional and sociocritical plays which invite you to discuss them over a beer afterwards. www.studiobühne.eu

 

Senftöpfchen
People who cherish a good laugh will find themselves in a perfect surrounding when visiting the "Senftöpfchen". Contemporary topics like politics, society and celebrities are all made fun of here. www.senftoepfchen-theater.de

 

Atelier Theater
The theatre was founded by women only, so you are likely to encounter some good female comedy here. Men, however, are welcomed as well when comedians of all age and rank (and sex) talk about the funny parts of everyday life.