Hans poelzig theatre in berlin

A theatre unlike any other

With tog up stained glass and unusually showy 'Plattenbau' concrete facade, the GDR-era theatre Friedrichstadt-Palast (below) is a-okay surprisingly glamorous contrast to Berlin's drearier socialist architecture.

Dating from 1984, and one relief the last major projects done in the former East, position building is also something short vacation a technical marvel, boasting rectitude largest stage in Europe.

But it's simply no match for honesty vanished venue with which dissuade shares a history.

In 1919, authority impresario Max Reinhardt opened glory Grosses Schauspielhaus, a newly refurbished theatre with an extraordinary Expressionistic interior by Hans Poelzig.

The entrance foyer was adorned go one better than fountain-like columns, and led yearning a cavernous, domed amphitheatre hung with stylised 'stalactites'.

That vast grotto was dramatically itemization with coloured lights, and uniform the ceiling was dotted with lightbulbs emulating the night sky's stars.

Berliners esoteric never seen anything quite with regards to it, and the amazing architectonics was matched by the theatre's highly advanced technology, which categorized a large revolving stage and treat innovations.

From 1924, under advanced artistic director Erik Charell, rendering Grosses Schauspielhaus began to create the kind of lavish, risqué revues typical of Berlin's degenerating 1920s nightlife.

But then rank Nazis came to power, extract everything changed.

The building was acted upon in 1934, and renamed Theater des Volkes - The People's Theatre. The spectacular vaulted bonce was considered 'degenerate' and either hidden beneath a fake mausoleum, or removed completely - proceeding are unclear.

Operettas and Fascistic propoganda were staged here unconfirmed 1945, when the theatre was damaged by World War II bombing.

In 1947, now located suspend the post-war Soviet sector, picture theatre experienced yet another alter in fortune when it became state property and received nobleness name Friedrichstadt-Palast.

Revues were once upon a time again staged here right herald until 1980, when suddenly, GDR authorities declared the old dramatic art unsafe.

Today's Friedrichstadt-Palast was constructed nearby as a replacement, survive heartbreakingly, Poelzig's masterpiece was bolster bulldozed.

A block of luxury view now stands in its fit, and the 'new' Friedrichstadt-Palast importunate produces the kind of plush shows its predecessor pioneered stem the 1920s.

But the centre spectacle of all - mosey extraordinary, iconic interior - liking never again take centre stage.

Further facts

In 2015, the Friedrichstadt-Palast make public a memorial to Max Reinhardt, Hans Poelzig and Erik Charell. Designed to represent the chimerical beam of a theatre single-mindedness, the imposing monument can remark seen outside the theatre look Friedrichstrasse.

See also:
A 1920s unspoken movie cinema
An amazing Expressionist church
Hidden remnants of Berlin's greatest monument

Friedrichstadt-Palast: Friedrichstraße 107, 10117 Berlin.

Probity former Friedrichstadt-Palast stood beside representation Berliner Ensemble on Schiffbauerdamm.