Theatre-goers linger in the courtyard of brick-fronted Volkstheater in Munich before the performance.

Münchner Volkstheater

Tradition of the "people's play"

The Volkstheater is keeping up the tradition of the Volksschauspiel (folk play) since 1983. It moved into a newly constructed building in Schlachthofviertel in October 2021, benefitting from an ultra-modern theatre facility in an extremely exciting environment.

Munich Volkstheater’s new building, on the site of the old Viehhof cattle yard on Tumblinger Strasse in Munich’s Schlachthofviertel district, hosted its inaugural play on 15 October 2021. The performance of “Edward II” was produced by long-standing director Christian Stückl. When it became clear that the old theatre building on Brienner Strasse was simply bursting at the seams, the decision was made to construct a new building.

Designed by Stuttgart architectural firm LRO (Lederer Ragnarsdóttier Oei), the brick structure, with its arches and curves, incorporates historic protected buildings and deliberately allows traces of the past to shine through here and there. While fully respecting its historic surroundings, the new Volkstheater has become one of the most modern theatres in Germany.

The Volkstheater is characterised by its young ensemble and a similarly youthful audience. The players here often include emerging talent, with former cast members such as Brigitte Hobmeier, Friedrich Mücke and Maximilian Brückner. Many faces on stage here are recognisable from film and television roles.

The Radikal Jung (radically young) festival has been taking place since 2002, aimed at supporting young directors. As part of this two-week event, the Volkstheater showcases award-winning productions by up-and-coming directors from across the German-speaking theatre world.

Many Radikal Jung talents such as Bastian Kraft, Ersan Mondtag, Lucia Bihler and Anta Helene Recke have gone on to have stellar directing careers. Bastian Kraft’s cult production “Felix Krull” has been playing to packed theatres for over 10 years.

Director Christian Stückl – a man of the theatre through and through

Christian Stückl has been director of the Munich Volkstheater since 2002. Originally from Oberammergau, he became the youngest-ever director of the famous Oberammergau Passion Play in 1987, and directed the play for a fourth time in 2021.

Stückl worked as a director for the Münchner Kammerspiele theatre company until 1996. In parallel to his directorship of the Munich Volkstheater, he also worked as a freelance director for various German-speaking theatres including the Bayerische Staatsoper (opera), Salzburger Festspiele (Salzburg Festival) and Vienna Burgtheater.

Stückl has received numerous awards in recognition of his work, among them the Theaterpreis der Landeshauptstadt München (City of Munich Theatre Award) in 2014, the Bayerische Verfassungsmedaille (Bavarian Constitution Medal) in silver in 2016 and the Abraham Geiger Award for “Services to Judaism in its many faces” and the Toleranzpreis der Evangelischen Akademie Tutzing (Tolerance Award of the Evangelische Akademie Tutzing) in 2020. He was presented with the Buber-Rosenzweig medal in March 2021.

The history of the Munich Volkstheater

The Volkstheater opened in 1983 near Stiglmaierplatz on Brienner Strasse with a performance of Karl Schönherr’s “Glaube und Heimat”, under then-producer Ruth Drexel. The renowned theatre actress, a graduate of the Otto-Falckenberg-Schauspielschule school of the performing arts in Munich, had herself graced Germany’s stages for years and was part of Bertolt Brecht’s famous Berliner ensemble from 1956 to 1957. In 1989, five years after the theatre opened, she took over as its director.

Cast members at that time included renowned actors such as Gustl Bayrhammer, Beppo Brem, Helmut Fischer, Willy Harlander, Karl Obermayr, Veronika Fitz, Enzi Fuchs, Rita Russek and Maria Singer. During Drexel’s directorship, the theatre’s programme mainly featured works from the traditional popular theatre repertoire. They maintained a connection to contemporary theatre by occasionally working closely with influential playwrights of major theatre pieces such as Franz Xaver Kroetz, who himself also sometimes acted and directed at the Volkstheater.

www.muenchner-volkstheater.de

 

Also of interest: plan ahead now – see the official city portal muenchen.de for current cultural highlights and a comprehensive calendar of events.

 

 

Text: München Tourismus; Photos: Gabriela Neeb, Arno Declair, Roland Halbe
A man and a woman record a podcast in a laundromat.

Munich Podcasts

A feast for the ears

Many Munich museums and institutions have their own podcast. An overview.

Many Munich museums and institutions have their own podcast. Here we present a few examples that are particularly worth listening to.

A man and two women, one of whom has a small child on her lap, in a sitting position but without a seat in a room lined with red granite.

A sneak preview of Munich's 2024 gallery exhibitions

Hungry for art

You'll definitely want to catch these exhibitions in Munich's museums and galleries in 2024!

From the Old Masters to the new young things: Munich's museums showcase art from all branches and eras. Here are some exhibitions that you'll definitely want to catch in 2024!

A wall with graffiti in Munich.

The writing's on the wall

Get graffitiing!

Munich has long been the cradle of the European graffiti scene. Our author once painted graffiti himself, and today looks back on a quite exceptional piece of work.

Munich has long been the cradle of the European graffiti scene. Our author once painted graffiti himself, and today looks back on a quite exceptional piece of work.

Fountain in Grottenhof of the Residenz photographed through a window of the Residenz in Munich.

Royal Munich

Bisou, Bisou with the Sun King

The story of Ludwig II is a legendary tale: an account of a glamorous time that played out not only in Neuschwanstein, but also directly within the Munich court – the Residenz palace in the city centre.

The story of Ludwig II is a legendary tale: an account of a glamorous time that played out not only in Neuschwanstein, but also directly within the Munich court – the Residenz palace in the city centre.

Neuschwanstein Castle in the surrounding region of Munich.

Hiking guide

Royal wanderlust

Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof, Schachenhaus and Neuschwanstein: Bavaria’s castles and palaces are among the most beautiful in the world.

Herrenchiemsee, Linderhof, Schachenhaus and Neuschwanstein: Bavaria’s castles and palaces are among the most beautiful in the world.

Endless Staircase in Munich.

Art in public spaces

At second glance

Some public art in Munich is unknown even to the locals. We present six works of art that can often only be discovered at second glance.

Some public art in Munich is unknown even to the locals. We present six works of art that can often only be discovered at second glance.

Munich Card & City Pass

Discover Munich in a relaxed and uncomplicated way: discounts for the diverse range of art, culture and leisure activities with our guest cards.

Public transport is included

Many discounts with the Card, many things for free with the Pass.

Online or at the tourist information offices

Munich's Palace of Justice

Justizpalast Tour

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Book now for only 20€ !

During the guided tour of the present-day seat of the Bavarian State Ministry of Justice, you will learn everything about the history and significance of the neo-baroque court and administrative building.

Small meeting room of the Neues Rathaus in Munich

New Town Hall Tour

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Book now from 20 €

Explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Magistrates, Monachia and magnificent celebrations: explore the Neue Rathaus on Marienplatz with an official City of Munich tour guide. A visit of the famous law library is also included!

Exterior view of the Hofbräuhaus Munich at dusk.

Hofbräuhaus Tour

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Book for 28€, Mass beer included!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Discover the most famous beer hall in the world with an official guide of the city of Munich and enjoy a fresh Mass of beer afterward!

Towers at Marienplatz in Munich

Old Town Tour

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Book now for 18 €!

The city walk for everyone who wants to become acquainted with the most beautiful parts of Munich's city centre.

Wort kettle at the Spaten brewery in Munich.

Spaten Brewery Tour

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

Book now for only 22 €!

Experience a brewery tour at Spaten with a look behind the scenes, interesting facts about the company history and beer tasting in the brewery tower.

A woman with varnished fingernails holds a gift with the inscription "simply Munich".

Vouchers

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Buy now vouchers for your visit in Munich. The ideal gift! Guided tours, guest cards and more...

A stone jug with the inscription Oktoberfest Munich.

Order now!

Oktoberfest Shop

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

Bring a piece of Oktoberfest home: Purchase official souvenirs such as the Wiesn poster or the Oktoberfest beer stein in the official Oktoberfest shop.

Bag on green background

Vouchers

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.

Buy vouchers from 6,50 €

Give the gift of a special Munich voucher: we also offer vouchers for all our guided tours. Here you can book unique Munich experiences directly online, print them out and give them as a gift voucher to friends or family.