Berlin’s Historic Friedrichstadt-Palast: A Stage For Entertainment & Freedom Of Expression
Falling In Love, the latest production at Berlin’s Friedrichstadt-Palast theatre, is a visually stunning production under the design direction of fashion icon Jean Paul Gaultier. The show is a feast for the senses, with over 100 performers from 28 different nations creating an experience that blends the grandeur and impressive acrobatics of Cirque du Soleil with the flair and pure camp of the Moulin Rouge. But beneath the glittering surface – over 100 million Swarovski crystals were used to create the 280 Gaultier-designed costumes – lies a deeper mission: to use art as a vehicle for democratic values and the defence of freedom.
Friedrichstadt-Palast is Europe’s largest revue theatre, with around 1,900 seats, dating back to 1919. It stands as a testament to its city’s turbulent history. Each show at the Palast is a unique experience, running for two years and never repeated, but always referencing the past and conveying important messages for our present.
08.08.2024
Dr Berndt Schmidt, the theatre’s general and managing director, makes sure to emphasise the importance of the Palast’s history in shaping its current productions. “Our theatre has roots in two dictatorships,” he says. “In 1933, the Nazis took power with just 34% of the vote, showing how quickly democracy can vanish. We’ve experienced that twice here.” He’s also referring to the theatre’s location – after World War II, it found itself in East Berlin and was repurposed to promote political propaganda under the German Democratic Republic.
The Palast’s history is a stark reminder of the fragility of democracy, and this awareness permeates Schmidt’s creative work when coming up with the show concepts, which he has been doing since 2007.
“With the current rise of far-right parties across Europe, that history feels even more relevant now,” says Schmidt. “In 2017, when I spoke out against the far-right party entering the German parliament, we had a bomb threat at our theatre,” he adds. “It shows that these are not just words anymore.”
Productions at the Palast often carry subtle but significant messages, woven into their narratives to resonate with audiences who travel to see their shows from all over the world. “We aim for relatability in our shows. That connection with the audience is key, and I think that’s why our theatre is usually sold out, even on the really sunny days.”
Its shows also act as a pulse check on society’s mood. Following the pandemic, came Arise, a production on the theme of “believing in light coming through after every darkness” – a sentiment that struck a chord as the world grappled with uncertainty. Falling In Love explores an equally poignant theme. “The title made me think of ‘falling’, explains Schmidt, “like the ground is shaking, democracy is in danger. But rather than falling into despair, our characters fall into love.”
The theatre is supported by the German state, meaning political neutrality is important to ensure its continued existence, but for Schmidt, the responsibility to defend democracy is clear. “We’re in a good spot in Berlin, where the far-right isn’t as dominant [as in some parts of Germany]. But even here, freedom of expression is something we have to fight for,” he adds.
“I believe we get tax money to defend democracy, not just to entertain. Disney has to make money, but we have a responsibility to address important issues,” he continues. “I say this as a white German born in 1964. Now I have the possibility. I have a theatre. I cannot shut up. Now I have to open my mouth.”
Falling In Love is joyful proof that the Palast remains a bastion of free expression, with costumes in every colour of the rainbow and song lyrics spreading messages of love and inclusivity. “While we aim to provide a good time, there’s a depth to our work – it’s not just light entertainment,” says Falling In Love soloist Olivier St Louis. The show features a male deaf poet who falls in love with a ‘rebellious’ woman, both navigating their own ideological bubbles. “The idea is that every colour should shine, not be confined. It’s a simple message about diversity and acceptance, but unfortunately, it’s not as normal as it should be,” St Louis adds.
This philosophy clearly continues to strike a chord with audiences, with shows selling out year after year. In Berlin, where the country’s history is ever-present throughout the city, Friedrichstadt-Palast demonstrates that art can be both a celebration and a call to action.
Pia Brynteson is Content Editor at Service95
