Theater in der Filmdose

The theatre stands in Cologne’s university quarter, inside the Gaststätte Filmdose on Zülpicher Straße. Walter Bockmayer opened the Filmdose in 1975 as a stage for his own productions. In 1984 the ensemble renamed it the Theatre in the Film Tin. Ralph Morgenstern, Dirk Bach, Hella von Sinnen and Dada Stievermann all appeared on its small platform. Alexander Moll later took over the room and kept the shows running. The stage has premiered provocative comedies and musical parodies since the mid-1980s. Titles like Geierwally, Sissi – Beuteljahre einer Kaiserin and Pretty Prummen drew packed houses. Recent seasons have featured Trashdance, Der Exorzist – auf Teufel komm raus! and Teitänic – die tun nix – die wollen nur cruisen! Claus Janzen and Georg Lenzen have been regulars in these productions. Visitors find a narrow, intimate space with a bar at the back. The walls are lined with posters from past shows. A small stage occupies one end, lit by simple spotlights. The audience sits on wooden benches or stools close to the actors. After the performance the same room serves drinks and snacks, so the evening ends without leaving the building.