THE THEATRE

The Residenztheater (The Bavarian State Theatre) has one of the richest traditions and, with a resident ensemble of over 50 actors and a total staff of over 450, is one of the largest theatres for spoken drama in the German-speaking world. Its history began in the 18th century as the Princely Court and National Theatre.  Performances are given in three venues: the Residenztheater on Max-Joseph-Platz with 881 seats, the Cuvilliéstheater with 437 seats and the Marstall with around 146 seats, all located in the very centre of Munich close to the Residenz. Andreas Beck has been Artistic Director since 2019. Under his artistic leadership, the Residenztheater embodies ensemble theatre that places a strong emphasis on contemporary playwriting, presenting world premieres and fresh versions while also maintaining a repertoire of classics. Classical sources and texts are questioned from the perspective of the here and now and are performed in new versions and translations. The first season of this new artistic directorship began in the Residenztheater on 19 October 2019 with the world premiere of Ewald Palmetshofer’s commissioned play «The Lost».

The history of the Residenztheater begins in the 18th century as the princely court and national theatre. Three venues are used: the Residenztheater on Max-Joseph-Platz with 881 seats, the Cuvilliéstheater with 437 seats and the Marstall with approx. 146 seats, all in the immediate vicinity of the Residenz in the heart of Munich. Alongside the Bavarian State Opera, the Bavarian Theatre Academy August Everding/Prinzregententheater and the Gärtnerplatztheater, it is one of the four Bavarian State Theatres in Munich.

An installation by the lighting artist Ingo Maurer signals the new beginning at the Residenztheater to the outside world: «Silver Cloud» hangs in a prominent position in the foyer «Zur Schönen Aussicht» – a setting that combines both interior and exterior.

«Ingo Maurer is one of the best-known lighting artists and the elder statesman among lighting designers of our time. His light compositions in public spaces and squares are renowned here in Munich, his home city, as they are all around the world. What could be more fitting when it became necessary to redesign the foyer ‹Zur schönen Aussicht› than to ask the artist Maurer how and by means of which interventions this magical place could be reinterpreted?» Andreas Beck

We visit our Resi crew behind the scenes and introduce you to the theatre's crafts (in German language).