Friedrichstadt-Palast

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  The lettering on the Friedrichstadt-Palast.

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  View of the illuminated Friedrichstadt-Palast in the dark.

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  Foyer in the Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin.

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  After the premiere, the ensemble of the Grand Show "Falling - In Love" celebrates during the final applause on the stage of the Friedrichstadt-Palast. (archive picture)

The Friedrichstadt-Palast is the most prominent example of GDR post-modernism and a highlight of prefabricated architecture. The large revue theater in Berlin-Mitte presents great shows all year round.

Built in 1981 to 1984, the Friedrichstadtpalast is the most prominent example of GDR postmodernism and one of the highlights of prefabricated housing. Unlike the façade of the ambitious Westin Grand Hotel Unter den Linden, which draws on the rich pool of Berlin classicism, and the new buildings on Gendarmenmarkt, which translate Art Nouveau elements into the formal language of prefabricated buildings, the façade of the Friedrichstadtpalast has its very own ornamentation.

Unique in Europe

Europe's largest revue theater bears a name steeped in tradition. Between Friedrichstraße and today's Berliner Ensemble, on the street Am Zirkus, stood the famous predecessor building, which emerged from a market hall built in 1865 to 1868 and was later converted into a circus arena.

Theater des Volkes

In 1919, the theater man Max Reinhardt took over the building and had it converted by Hans Poelzig into the famous "Tropfsteinhöhle" (stalactite cave), which, with its expressionist decor, addressed the major acoustic and design problems of the space. In 1924, Erik Charell's revue theater moved in, and from 1933 it operated as the "Theater des Volkes", with a focus on Berlin operetta. As early as 1945, the building was reopened as an entertainment theater, from 1947 under its current name.

Demolition of the old Friedrichstadt Palace

Groundwater fluctuations put an end to the giant building, which was founded on wooden piles. Due to the rotten supports, the theater had to close its doors in 1980 and was demolished in 1986.

Modern technology behind an understated façade

The centerpiece of the new "Palast" is the Great Hall for 1900 spectators, equipped with all the technical finesse, including a 12-meter diameter lifting podium on the forestage. The southern part of the building houses the "Kleine Revue" with 240 seats, while the rehearsal rooms are located at the rear of the building. The entire outer skin is clad in sandstone-coloured concrete panels, while the foyer wing facing Friedrichstraße is additionally adorned with different-coloured glass concrete elements, appropriate for a revue theater with a "colourful" program.

Other theaters next to the Friedrichstadt-Palast

South of the Spree is a second venue for lighter entertainment, the Admiralspalast with its bombastic façade design. Built in 1910 as an entertainment venue with a luxurious indoor swimming pool and ice skating rink, the complex has undergone several renovations and is now home to the 1750-seat theater hall (on the site of the former ice skating rink, 1955-97 "Metropol Theater") and the cabaret "Die Distel" (in the front building). Nearby, the Berliner Ensemble, the Deutsches Theater and the Komische Oper are three plush, historicist theaters.

Friedrichstadt-Palast: Events and guided tours

Information

• Address:
  Friedrichstr. 107
  10117 Berlin
  City map
• Phone: [phone]
• Internet: www.palast.berlin
• Opening Hours: Varies depending on the event
• Accessibility: The Friedrichstadt-Palast is barrier-free. The auditorium has four wheelchair spaces and an induction loop for the hearing impaired.
• Admission Fee:
  Varies depending on the event
• Tickets: Tickets for the Friedrichstadtpalast
• Architect: Kollektiv Walter Schwarz