Kremlhoftheater Villach

The Kremlhoftheater Villach stood in the forecourt of the Kulturzentrum Im Kreml in the Perau district of Villach, Carinthia. The hexagonal garden pavilion had been converted into a theatre that seated only six to eight people. Its tiny stage measured 1.30 by 1.30 metres, yet in 2011 Guinness World Records declared it the smallest theatre on earth. Run by the association Verein zur Anregung des dramatischen Appetits and the artists’ collective kärnöl, the theatre opened on 16 October 2009 during the fifth kärnöl Biennale. Performances ranged from original productions to national and international guest shows in drama, theatre for young audiences, staged readings and ballet. A special focus was placed on Russian literature, some of which was performed in the original language. Visitors found themselves squeezed into the intimate hexagonal space, where every seat offered an unobstructed view of the miniature stage. The programme changed regularly, mixing local talent with touring companies from across Europe. The final curtain fell on 31 December 2014, but the record remains, a quirky footnote in Villach’s cultural life.