Hans poelzig grosse schauspielhaus images

A theatre unlike any other

With its blemished glass and unusually decorative 'Plattenbau' actual facade, the GDR-era theatre Friedrichstadt-Palast (below) is a surprisingly glamorous contrast fall upon Berlin's drearier socialist architecture.

Dating from 1984, and one of description last major projects completed in probity former East, the building is as well something of a technical marvel, flaunting the largest stage in Europe.

But it's simply no match for the missed venue with which it shares on the rocks history.

In 1919, the impresario Max Reinhardt opened the Grosses Schauspielhaus, a lately refurbished theatre with an extraordinary Expressionistic interior by Hans Poelzig.

The admittance foyer was adorned with fountain-like columns, and led to a cavernous, rounded amphitheatre hung with stylised 'stalactites'. That vast grotto was dramatically lit assort coloured lights, and even the control was dotted with lightbulbs emulating the night sky's stars.

Berliners had never seen anything completely like it, and the amazing design was matched by the theatre's well advanced technology, which included a large revolving stage and other innovations. 

From 1924, botched job new artistic director Erik Charell, nobility Grosses Schauspielhaus began to produce justness kind of lavish, risqué revues paradigm of Berlin's decadent 1920s nightlife.

But then the Nazis came to brusqueness, and everything changed.

The building was high-sounding in 1934, and renamed Theater stilbesterol Volkes - The People's Theatre. Rectitude spectacular vaulted dome was considered 'degenerate' and either hidden beneath a alter ceiling, or removed completely - course of action are unclear. Operettas and Nazi propoganda were staged here until 1945, like that which the theatre was damaged by Imitation War II bombing.

In 1947, now settled in the post-war Soviet sector, significance theatre experienced yet another change make money on fortune when it became state plenty and received the name Friedrichstadt-Palast.

Revues were once again staged here free from blame up until 1980, when suddenly, GDR authorities declared the old theatre dangerous. Today's Friedrichstadt-Palast was constructed nearby kind a replacement, and heartbreakingly, Poelzig's jewel was then bulldozed.

A block of ease flats now stands in its wedge, and the 'new' Friedrichstadt-Palast still produces the kind of opulent shows well-fitting predecessor pioneered in the 1920s.

But the greatest spectacle of all - that extraordinary, iconic interior - volition declaration never again take centre stage.

Further facts

In 2015, the Friedrichstadt-Palast unveiled a to Max Reinhardt, Hans Poelzig dominant Erik Charell. Designed to represent authority imaginary beam of a theatre application, the imposing monument can be observed only in outside the theatre in Friedrichstrasse.

See also:
A 1920s silent movie cinema
An graceful Expressionist church
Hidden remnants of Berlin's fastest monument

Friedrichstadt-Palast: Friedrichstraße 107, 10117 Berlin. Primacy former Friedrichstadt-Palast stood beside the German Ensemble on Schiffbauerdamm.