Großes Schauspielhaus [Berlin]
Großes Schauspielhaus
Theatre building in Berlin, Germany, opened in 1867
theater in Mitte
Friedrichstadt-Palast
Theater des Volkes
Palast Varieté
Destroyed by bombs
Built 1867 by Friedrich Hitzig as a market hall. Closed after 6 months, subsequently used as a warehouse. 1873 converted into a circus building (4500 seats). Re-opened 1873 as "Markthallen-Circus" directed by Salamnsky. 1879 bought by circus director Renz, and renamed "Zirkus Renz". Later renamed "Neues Olympia-Riesen-Theater" and "Zirkus Schumann". Used for circus and variety performances. Closed in 1918.
1918 bought by Max Reinhardt's National-Theater AG. 1918-1919 rebuilding by Hans Poelzig, creating a stage reminding of ancient theatres and a sumptuous expressionist interior decoration reminding of dripstone caves. Re-opened 28 Nov 1919 as "Großes Schauspielhaus" with Aeschylus's "Oresteia". Ca. 3000 seats. Subsequently used for drama performances, e. g. Max Reinhardt's productions of Shakespeare's "Hamlet", Rolland's "Danton", Schiller's "Die Räuber", and Aristophanes's "Lysistrata". A second stage in the basement of the complex was used by the cabaret "Schall und Rauch" (that had previously performed in the "Kleines Theater", Unter den Linden 44). After 1924, the complex was mainly used for revue and variety performances.1933 nationalized and renamed "Theater des Volkes". Subsequently rebuilt, destroying Poelzig's decoration and reinstalling a traditional proscenium stage. Used for operetta and ideological drama performances. Destroyed by bombs in 1943.1945 provisional rebuilding. 1947 renamed "Friedrichstadtpalast" and re-opened as a variety theatre (also known as "Palast Varieté"). Closed 1980 due to structural problems caused by the stilt fundations. Demolished in 1985.
The Großes Schauspielhaus was a famous theatre in Berlin. It was an iconic example of expressionist architecture with sculptural columns and a cave-like auditorium decorated with stalactites. It was designed by Hans Poelzig for theatre impresario Max Reinhardt, and sat 3500 people.