Stadttheater Kaufbeuren

The Stadttheater Kaufbeuren stands on the eastern edge of the old town in the Rosental district. The building is protected as a monument and was once used to store salt. It began as a municipal tool house before citizens turned it into a theatre in 1805. The theatre opened with a performance of August von Kotzebue’s play Johanna von Montfaucon. Early supporters included Johann Georg Heinzelmann and Christoph Daniel Walch. After financial troubles, the city finally bought the house in 1862 to keep it as a municipal theatre. Major renovations in 1866–68 added boxes, galleries and gas lighting. A Swarovski chandelier with 20 934 parts was installed during the 1970–71 works. Visitors enter through a modern foyer with cloakrooms and toilets. The auditorium remains largely as it looked in 1868, with two low balconies supported by slender posts. The oldest still-used theatre curtain in Germany hangs on the stage; it was painted in 1805 by Joseph Hungermüller. Today the theatre also hosts social events beyond regular performances.