Hebbel Theater

The Hebbel-Theater stands in Berlin-Kreuzberg on Stresemannstraße, a corner building designed by Oskar Kaufmann in 1907–08. It is a Jugendstil playhouse with about 800 seats, built into the row of houses rather than standing free. The architect had to fit the theatre onto a narrow plot, so he created two facades—one on the main street and one on the side. This design gave the auditorium tiers that separate it clearly from the stage while still fitting many seats. Kaufmann later became famous for building five more theatres in Berlin. The theatre opened in January 1908 and was named after the 19th-century playwright Friedrich Hebbel. In the 1920s it became one of Berlin’s leading stages, hosting stars such as Paul Wegener, Tilla Durieux and Elisabeth Bergner. Directors like Victor Barnowsky brought in actors including Hans Albers and Fritz Kortner. During the Second World War the building suffered only minor bomb damage and reopened by August 1945 with Brecht and Weill’s Dreigroschenoper. After the war it became the most important stage in West Berlin. Inside, visitors find a restored auditorium with tiered seating and clear sightlines. The foyer and stage area were rebuilt after war damage, and later restorations returned much of the original Jugendstil character. The theatre now belongs to Hebbel am Ufer, a company that programmes contemporary theatre without its own ensemble. The building’s two facades and compact plan remain visible reminders of Oskar Kaufmann’s skill in making a large theatre fit a small site.