Schauspielhaus Bad Godesberg

The Schauspielhaus Bad Godesberg stands in the heart of Bad Godesberg, a district of Bonn in the Cologne region. Built in the early 1950s, it was the first new theatre constructed in post-war Germany. The building occupies a prominent corner site between Theaterplatz and Am Michaelshof. Its flat roof and staggered volumes reflect the progressive architecture of the time. Rounded corners and narrow slit-like windows give the façade a distinctive look. The theatre has been protected as a monument since 2008.

The theatre’s history is tied to Bonn’s role as the provisional capital after the Second World War. Funds were scarce, so the city built the theatre before a new town hall. Federal subsidies helped keep it running, rising from 58.7 per cent in 1970 to 70 per cent in 1980. It has hosted directors such as Ernst Rademacher, Fritz Kucht and Josef Loschelder. In 2018 it was renamed Schauspielhaus Bad Godesberg and now serves as Bonn’s central venue for plays.

Inside, the auditorium seats 473 spectators across modernised rows. The stage still uses original cinema technology installed for the opening in 1952. The box-office hall remains largely unchanged and forms part of the protected monument. Outside, the building’s sharp lines and rounded corners dominate Theaterplatz. The surrounding streets lead visitors past cafés and shops in a quiet city-centre setting.