Capitol Theater

The Capitol Theater stands in Düsseldorf’s city centre, occupying a former tram depot built over a century ago. Its red-brick façade still shows the depot’s industrial past, yet inside it has become the city’s largest theatre. The building stretches across 1140 square metres of stage space and 1500 square metres of foyers, where five bars serve visitors before performances. The theatre first opened in 1994 under publisher Lothar Neuse, who turned the old depot into a musical stage. In 1996 the producers Thomas Krauth and Michael Brenner brought *Grease* to Düsseldorf, running for three years and drawing 1.2 million spectators. Krauth later staged the world premieres of *Miami Nights* in 2002 and *Das Mädchen Rosemarie* in 2004. Since 2021 Bettina Römer has led the house, with David de Zwaan taking charge in 2022. Visitors enter through two linked foyers that rise over two levels. The main auditorium seats 1131 guests beneath a vast ceiling, while the Club space accommodates up to 475 diners or seated spectators. The Wintergarten and bars provide places to meet between acts, keeping the depot’s character alive in every corner.