Festive gala highlight: Hamburg Schauspielhaus turns 125 years old!

Festive gala highlight: Hamburg Schauspielhaus turns 125 years old!

The Deutsches Schauspielhaus in Hamburg was the venue for a lavish celebration on November 23, 2025: on the occasion of its 125th anniversary, the heritage and history of this renowned theater was honored with a brilliant gala. In her speech, artistic director Karin Beier, who has been the first woman to head the theater since 2013, emphasized how crucial the theater is as a mirror of social changes. Culture Senator Carsten Brosda (SPD) added that the theater has the ability to evoke a wide range of emotions and gave the numerous guests an unforgettable evening.

The gala not only offered a captivating theater journey with the talented ensemble, but also the opportunity to learn from influential personalities in the theater landscape. The well-known actress Eva Mattes made people sit up and take notice in her memories of an important theater scandal. Ilse Ritter, an experienced theater director, also reported on the challenges and ups and downs that can come with this role. Edgar Selge reflected on the complexity of appreciating authors whose views you do not share, while Lina Beckmann thrilled the audience with an excerpt from her role as “Richard the Kid”.

Theater history in neo-baroque splendor

The Deutsches Schauspielhaus, with its 1,200 seats the largest spoken theater in Germany, was founded in 1900 through a private initiative by Hamburg citizens. Designed in the impressive neo-baroque style by the Viennese architectural firm Fellner and Helmer, it opened on September 15, 1900 with “Iphigenie auf Tauris”. The theater gained great fame under directors such as Gustaf Gründgens, who presented “Hamburger Faust” productions from 1955 to 1963. During its era, the Playhouse became a cultural center known for innovative and bold productions.

However, the history of the house is not only characterized by fame. A dark chapter emerges from one of the biggest theater scandals of the 1929s, when the performance of Bruckner's “The Criminals” was disrupted by National Socialist circles. During the Nazi era, the theater had to go through a “cleansing” that led to the expulsion of Jewish artists. In 1935, the production of Jürgen Fehling's “Don Karlos” drew applause, while Peter Zadek's controversial performance of “Othello” caused a stir in the post-war period and outraged the audience.

Successes and innovations in the present

The artistic director Karin Beier has also set new trends in the recent past. Under her leadership, the Schauspielhaus was awarded the title “Theater of the Year” for the sixth time in 2024 - a success that recognizes the ensemble's commitment and creativity as well as the innovative programming. Beier's predecessors, such as Peter Zadek and Frank Baumbauer, also left significant footprints by bringing current authors to the stage and introducing the concept of “event theater.”

The Schauspielhaus is currently bringing talents such as Lina Beckmann, Charly Hübner and many more to the stage and focuses on contemporary pieces that open up new perspectives. The theater remains a fascinating place of encounter and exchange that continues to delight audiences with its rich history and courageous present.

The Deutsches Schauspielhaus can look back on 125 years of theater history, marked by scandals, successes and a tireless pursuit of artistic excellence. The evening of the gala impressively demonstrated that the Schauspielhaus is not just a stage, but remains a living part of Hamburg's culture.

For more information, see the articles from n-tv and T Online. You can also find detailed insights into theater history at theaterhistorie.org.