Fabrik Heeder: Renovation uncertain – theater events affected!

Fabrik Heeder: Renovation uncertain – theater events affected!

There is currently a lot to talk about in Krefeld, especially around the Heeder factory and the Krefeld Theater. While the city administration is working hard to solve the problems in the former factory, the tense situation in the theater is making waves.

Large parts of the Heeder factory have been closed since the summer, particularly affecting areas such as Studio Stage I, the theater of Krefeld and the rehearsal rooms. It is currently unclear when these facilities will be used regularly, as the city of Krefeld is trying to carry out the necessary renovation work quickly. In the meantime, Heeder II, including Studiobühne II, remains open to the public, which represents a small ray of hope in the tense situation. In particular, the fund in the basement, which was originally usable, has now had to be closed, as the WZ discovered.

Events at the Heeder factory

Although the renovation is a big topic, there are also a number of events that are still planned at the Heeder factory. For example, the comedy “Sophia, Death and I” is moved to the Mönchengladbach Theater due to fire safety deficiencies. This premiere took place on September 11, 2025. The ballet production KRMG.Tanz3 with the title “Black Sheep / Sogni D’Oro” also follows this example and will premiere on December 7, 2025 in Mönchengladbach. Further dates in December are scheduled for December 17th and 30th, as krefeld.de reports.

Even an exhibition, which can be seen until December 3, 2025, aims to present the theater's new season and is designed by 12 students from Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences. The over 300 studies with individual and group portraits can be viewed from the outside and entry is free. There is still plenty of culture to experience outside the factory: the play “The Broken Pitcher” will soon be on the program. The production is suitable for young people aged 15 and over and adults and will premiere on November 21, 2025. There are also suitable offers for children, such as the performance of “The Adventures of Pettersson and Findus”, which is on the schedule from December 2nd.

Renovation of the Krefeld Theater

But it's not just the Heeder factory that needs urgent attention. The Krefeld Theater is also facing extensive renovation and urgently needs measures to remain operational. The director Michael Grosse sees the renovation as unavoidable and has offered an information event for October 10th to inform citizens about the upcoming measures. A closure of the theater for at least two years from 2027 is already being planned, which is why the theater operations have to be moved to an interim venue. Grosse advocates a tent solution as a temporary location, while a general planner has been hired to coordinate the process. The estimated renovation costs were recently at 72 million euros, and it is expected that this sum will continue to rise, possibly into the three-digit million range, as RP Online reports.

The situation in Krefeld is tense and those responsible still have a lot to do. It remains exciting to see what progress can soon be made and how the Krefeld cultural landscape will continue to develop.