Theater landscapes

The theater history of the Staatsschauspiel begins in the mid-18th century with the construction of the Cuvilliéstheater, or Old Residence Theater, which is one of the most beautiful preserved rococo theaters in Europe.
A jewel box that the city likes to open today for festive occasions, it was the first theater in Germany to have a revolving stage and in which candles were replaced by electric bulbs.

The rococo interior has since been given a new home in rooms of the Residenz and the new "Resi", built after the war on the foundations of the old building, now stands on the site of the old Residenztheater.

Great directors such as Kortner, Noelte and Fehling worked at the Residenztheater in the 1950s, and Bavarian dialect plays and classics were part of the repertoire.
In the 70s, artistic director Kurt Meisel brought the theater a golden age.
However, the engagement of the famous Swedish director Ingmar Bergman caused a stir, and with the construction of the Marstall as a small venue for the opening of the Olympic Games, the experimental avant-garde was given a chance at the Staatsschauspiel.
Today, the ensemble of actors and artistic collaborators characterizes the Residenztheater.
Intendant Dieter Dorn has worked with many of them more continuously and for longer than almost any other director.

In 2008, Munich celebrates its 850th anniversary.
During the city's birthday season, the Staatsschauspiel will be presenting plays that were first performed at the Cuvilliéstheater.
Tina Lanik rehearses Brecht's "Im Dickicht der Städte", which was first performed here in 1923.
And the Cuvilliéstheater - reopened for Munich's 800th anniversary in 1958 - shines in newly renovated splendor for the 850th anniversary celebrations in 2008.