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About this place
Theater am Hechtplatz is a municipal stage in the heart of Zürich, standing on the Limmatquai embankment right beside the Limmat river. Since 1959 it has been the home of Swiss cabaret and light entertainment theatre, and today it is owned and run by the City of Zürich.
What is Theater am Hechtplatz?
It is a small theatre in German-speaking Switzerland, linked above all with cabaret and "Kleinkunst", the German-language tradition of small-scale stage art: satire, staged song, solo performance and light comedy. In Zürich it is regarded as the central institution of its kind. Rather than a large resident company, it works as a venue that hosts performers from across Switzerland and the wider German-speaking world.
How did the theatre come about?
The idea took shape in the late 1950s. Swiss cabaret had lost one of its regular homes, the hall in the Hotel Hirschen, and needed a new address. The initiative came from Dionysius Gurny, secretary to the then city mayor Emil Landolt. The architect Ernst Gisel converted a former fire-brigade depot into the new venue. It opened on 25 April 1959 with the programme "Eusi chliini city" by the Cabaret Fédéral.
In 1961 the theatre was assigned to a department of the mayor's office, today's Präsidialdepartement. From 1963 it was led by Felix Rogner, followed as directors by Rudolf Sauser, Nicolas Baerlocher and Dominik Flaschka.
What can you see here?
Cabaret forms the core of the programme, but the stage also presents comedies, musical productions, chanson and children's shows. Since 1963, when it began with the fairy tale "Rumpelstilz", the house has also included the Märchenbühne, a fairy-tale stage for young audiences. As a result, one venue draws both adults looking for an evening of satire and families with children.
Most performances are in German, often in the Swiss variety, so visitors without German may get more from musical programmes than from text-heavy ones. Check the theatre's website for the current schedule and dates.
Getting there and what is nearby
The theatre sits on Hechtplatz in Zürich's historic quarter, on the Limmatquai side, directly on the river. The coordinates are roughly 47.3683 N, 8.5448 E. The surroundings are the Altstadt, the old town, with narrow lanes, cafés and the Limmat promenade. Many of the city centre's main sights are within walking distance, so an evening at the theatre combines easily with a stroll through town.
Frequently asked questions
When was Theater am Hechtplatz founded? It opened on 25 April 1959 as a cabaret stage.
Who owns the theatre? It is owned and run by the City of Zürich.
Is it a children's theatre? Not only, but since 1963 it has housed the Märchenbühne, which stages fairy-tale shows for children.
What language are the shows in? Mostly German, often in the Swiss variety.
Where exactly is it? On Hechtplatz, close to the Limmatquai embankment in central Zürich.
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