Munich's renowned theatres attract world-class artists. The city's classical spoken theatre and grand music stages present their audience a new diverse and creative programme every season. Here is an overview of the premières in 2024.
Residenztheater
Münchner Kammerspiele
Volkstheater
Nationaltheater
Staatstheater on Gärtnerplatz
Deutsches Theater
The Bavarian State Theatre, featuring the Residenztheater on Max-Joseph-Platz in the heart of the city, stands as one of the largest spoken theatres in the German-speaking region. In addition to the Residenztheater, affectionately called "Resi" by Munich locals, the theatre is also home to the Cuvilliéstheater and the Marstall.
Tip: It is worth taking a look at "Silver Cloud" by Ingo Maurer in the "Zur schönen Aussicht" foyer of the Residenztheater.
The Castle, based on a novel by Franz Kafka, whose death centenary is in 2024, will be staged by Karin Henkel to mark the occasion. Henkel has worked on almost all German-speaking stages since 1997 and “Das Schloss” is her second assignment at the Residenztheater.
Première on 2 February 2024, tickets, residenztheater.de
Prima Facie, by Suzie Miller. The Australian author, who previously worked as a criminal defence lawyer, was awarded the UK's top theatre prize for this work. The play delves into themes of personal justice and serves as a reckoning with a legal system created by men. The play has been sensitively and clearly staged by Nora Schlocker.
Première on 1 March 2024, tickets, residenztheater.de
Moby Dick, based on a novel by Herman Melville, initially found little favour during his lifetime. It was not until 30 years after Melville's death that it was rediscovered for literary modernism. It is a drama of a fanatic, or rather of all those who are prepared to follow a demagogue’s delusions to their doom. It is staged by Stefan Pucher, who is no stranger to Munich theatre audiences.
Première on 19 April 2024, tickets, residenztheater.de
Mary Stuart, a classic by Friedrich Schiller, makes not only the members of the royal court, but also his Majesties themselves doubt whether a single person is capable of making decisions in the interests of the people. A tremendously topical subject! It is a play that highlights the necessity of democracy. The director, once again Nora Schlocker, describes it as "A play about NOT acting. About the radical loneliness and inescapable power(lessness) into which a human ruler falls.”
Première on 17 May 2024, tickets, residenztheater.de
The Programme provides information on all other plays and venues of the Bavarian State Theatre.
The Münchner Kammerspiele (intimate theatre) on Maximilianstrasse is a municipal theatre, which itself can be described as a unique work of spatial art in the Art Nouveau style. Over the years, the theatre ensemble has included famous names like Therese Giehse and Heinz Rühmann. Berthold Brecht once directed here, and August Everding, Dieter Dorn, and Matthias Lilienthal have served as artistic directors. Barbara Mundel has been in charge of the Kammerspiele since the 2020/21 season.
Alive in a Merciful Country, based on a novel by A.L. Kennedy. Two voices, two genders, two world views, two loving men orbiting around Anna, two deep crises and two fairy tales. A linguistically brilliant story that reflects our deeply unsettling present. Directed by Sandra Stunz.
Première on 26 January 2024, tickets, muenchener-kammerspiele.de
In Ordnung, a dance piece by Doris Uhlich, première. High-speed beats get the participants sweating and into a shared frenzy, but also allow very different bodies to communicate directly in an unconventional way.
Première on 03 February 2024, tickets, muenchener-kammerspiele.de
Doping, a comedy by Nora Abdel-Maksoud, who is also the director, première. Where the fun would stop in reality, the author really gets going and delivers punchlines that highlight the contradictions of our lives.
Première on 05 April 2024, tickets, muenchener-kammerspiele.de
Asche, by Elfriede Jelinek, an apocalyptic swan song, directed by Falk Richter. What is the world, how did it come into being, why is the human body so susceptible to disruption and why have we humans been such unbearable "evil guests" on this planet, and will soon have to leave it – if mankind continues to destroy all the foundations of life? But, where to?
Première on 26 April 2024, tickets, muenchener-kammerspiele.de
Very Rich Angels, by Madame Nielsen & Christian Lollike, an intergalactic musical. The super-rich Bill Gates, Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg with all their worries and hardships, meet by chance in a nightclub and end up saving the world. The theatre production is a satirical musical journey between David Bowie and Tom Waits.
Première on 06 July 2024, tickets, muenchener-kammerspiele.de
The Programme provides information on all other plays and venues of Münchner Kammerspiele.
In autumn 2021, the Volkstheater relocated to its new home in Munich’s Schlachthofviertel (district): a modern brick building with arches and undulating curves. The theatre is run by Christian Stückl, a sculptor from Oberammergau, who is also the director of the Oberammergau Passion Play. Together with young actors and directors, he fosters an experimental environment in the theatre.
In den Gärten oder Lysistrata Teil 2, by Sibylle Berg, directed by Christian Stückl. In our politically correct, vegan, thoroughly gendered present, the battle of the sexes seems to have been fought out.
Première on 24 March 2024, tickets, muenchner-volkstheater.de
Der Besuch der alten Dame, Auftritt der Enkelin, by Friedrich Dürrenmatt. A classic on the German-speaking theatre stage. Sapir Heller’s adaptation transfers "Der Besuch der alten Dame” – The Visit of the Old Lady - to the grandchildren's generation, exploring the inheritance of trauma and collective guilt.
Première on 13 April 2024, tickets, muenchner-volkstheater.de
Der zerbrochne Krug, based on the play from Heinrich von Kleist. Under the direction of Matthias Spaan, a complex evening is staged within a courtroom setting, delving into Kleist's themes of double standards, lies, and abuse of power.
Première on 16 May 2024, tickets, muenchner-volkstheater.de
The Programme provides information on all other plays and venues of the Münchner Volkstheater.
The Nationaltheater, a classical building, is the venue of the Bayerische Staatsoper (opera), the Bavarian State Ballet and the Bavarian State Orchestra. A highlight of the season is the opera festival, which always takes place in June/July. The stage is one of the largest in the world and has premièred works by Richard Wagner.
Die Passagierin, composer Mieczysław Weinberg. Libretto by Alexander W. Medvedev based on the autobiographical novel of the same name Pasażerka by Zofia Posmysz. A new production: Opera in two acts and eight scenes, recommended for ages 16 and over.
Première on 10 March 2024, tickets, staatsoper.de
DUATO / SKEELS / EYAL, a three-part ballet evening. Choreography Nacho Duato, Andrew Skeels, Sharon Eyal. Music by Karl Jenkins, Antoine Seychal, Ori Lichtik, recommended for ages 12 and over.
Première on 12 April 2024, tickets, staatsoper.de
Tosca, composer Giacomo Puccini. Libretto by Giuseppe Giacosa and Luigi Illica, based on the drama La Tosca by Victorien Sardou. A melodrama in three acts (1900), recommended for ages 14 and over.
Première on 20 May 2024, tickets, staatsoper.de
Le Grand Macabre, composer György Ligeti. Libretto by György Ligeti and Michael Meschke based on the play La balade du Grand Macabre by Michel de Ghelderode. A new production: Opera in two acts, recommended for ages 14 and over.
Premiere on 28 June 2024, tickets, staatsoper.de
The Programme provides information on all other plays and venues of the Nationaltheater.
Since its beginnings, the Gärtnerplatztheater, as it is colloquially known in Munich, has presented operettas and musical comedies in the spirit of popular musical theatre. To this day, the theatre is one of the most important venues for opera, operetta, musicals and dance in Munich.
Les Miserables, a musical based on a novel by Victor Hugo, new production. Since its première in 1980, Les Miserables has been one of the most successful musicals in the world. The dramatic plot is based on Victor Hugo's novel of the same name and tells of passion, betrayal, sacrifice, revenge, broken dreams and unfulfilled love.
Première on 22 March 2024, tickets, gaernterplatztheater.de
The Merry Wives of Windsor, a comic-fantastic opera. The plot, centred on the character of Sir John Falstaff from William Shakespeare's work of the same name, has delighted audiences ever since its German première by Otto Nicolais in Berlin in 1849.
Première on 26 April 2024, tickets, gaernterplatztheater.de
Troja, a ballet by Andonis Foniadakis. The plot is based on "The Trojan Women" by Euripides. The theme revolves around war, portraying it as inhuman and destructive, a phenomenon that humanity has been repeating through its behaviour since the beginning. Greek choreographer Andonis Foniadakis has created his new work especially for the ballet of the state theatre on Gärtnerplatz (square).
Première on 28 June 2024, tickets, gaernterplatztheater.de
Sparks, dance production. The roles have been reversed again this season: the dancers of the ballet company become the choreographers of the evening. And also the ticketing process is reversed: Visitors first experience the performance and then decide what they can or want to pay.
Premiere on 7 July 2024, tickets available from 17 June 2024, gaertnerplatztheater.de
The Programme provides information on all other plays and venues of the Gärtnerplatztheater.
Germany's largest theatre for guest performances, the Deutsches Theater in Munich, hosts concerts, variety shows, ballet and contemporary dance productions in addition to the big musicals from New York's Broadway or London's West End. Located in the vibrant Bahnhofsviertel (district), this stage offers a varied programme of the highest quality all year round.
Information on current performances, tickets and the annual programme at the Deutsches Theater are available here.
