Magdeburger Zwickmühle

The Magdeburger Zwickmühle stands in the centre of Magdeburg, in the narrow Leiterstraße, as a small theatre devoted to political cabaret. Its stage is no larger than a normal room, yet every evening it becomes a place where satire sharpens minds and laughter unsettles complacency. The building itself is unremarkable from the outside, a quiet witness to the city’s daily bustle. What draws visitors is the ensemble’s sharp wit and the programmes that have won prizes across Germany. The regular cast—Hans-Günther Pölitz, Marion Bach, Heike Ronniger and Thomas Müller—perform scenes, songs and spoken pieces that dissect politics and society. Former members like Lothar Bölck and Frank Hengstmann left their mark before founding their own group, Kabarett Denkzettel, while Rainer Basedow guested in the long-running MDR show Die 3 von der Zankstelle. Inside, the auditorium is arranged so that every seat gives a clear view of the stage and the musicians who accompany the acts. The walls are lined with posters advertising past programmes, each title a snapshot of the moment it was written. The atmosphere is intimate, the humour direct, and the laughter that follows each punchline lingers in the small space long after the final bow.