Theater Ulüm

Theater Ulüm is a theatre in Ulm, Baden-Württemberg. It opened in 1998 and stages plays that mix humour with serious themes. The works focus on integration, bilingualism, dual citizenship, women’s rights, men’s roles in society and generational clashes. Every play is written by the Turkish playwright Aydın Engin. Performances are held in the theatre’s permanent home on Schillerstrasse in Ulm. The company mainly presents Turkish-language plays for people of Turkish background living in Germany, though they include passages in German. For German-born spectators who want to follow along, the theatre provides German-language textbooks. The Ulüm is southern Germany’s only Turkish theatre with its own building. Its programme gives a stage to stories that reflect the lives of Turkish-German communities. The plays often explore the tensions and rewards of living between two cultures. Audiences hear Turkish dialogue punctuated by German interjections and explanations. Visitors find a small but welcoming theatre space in a quiet street in Ulm. The interior is plain, with rows of seats facing a simple stage. There are no grand foyers or ornate decorations, just a place built for performances. The atmosphere is informal, encouraging relaxed attention to the plays. After the show, audiences can chat with actors in the small foyer. The theatre’s modest size makes every seat feel close to the action.