Theater an der Winkelwiese

Theater an der Winkelwiese is a small theater in Zurich, housed in the vaulted basement of the historic Villa Tobler in the Hottingen district. A public park surrounds the villa, so a night out at the theater pairs easily with a walk through greenery close to the city center.

What is Theater an der Winkelwiese?

The theater has been running since 1964 and is known for contemporary repertoire and for staging new plays. The auditorium occupies a vaulted lower level of the building, which gives performances an intimate, close-up feel. The property is a protected building, and the villa with its park is regarded as one of the more interesting architectural ensembles in this part of Zurich.

What is the history of the villa?

The late Classicist mansion was designed in 1853 by Gustav Albert Wegmann for the banker Jakob Emil Tobler-Finsler and his son. Between 1898 and 1901 it was converted into a historicist villa with a corner tower, to plans by Konrad von Muralt. The Art Nouveau interior by Hans Eduard von Berlepsch-Valendas is still counted among the finest in the city.

In 1996 the Zürcher Kunstgesellschaft took over the villa. After restoration, it reopened in 2000.

How did the theater begin?

In 1964 the architect Jakob Zweifel rebuilt the vaulted basement to hold a stage. The first season opened on 16 June 1964 with Harold Pinter's The Caretaker, directed by Maria von Ostfelden. Stephan Roppel has led the theater since 2003. Since 2000 it has also hosted the "Dramenprozessor" program, started by Peter-Jakob Kelting, which stages new plays by young Swiss authors.

What else is worth seeing here?

The park beside the villa has been open to the public since 1979. It is a quiet place to rest before or after a show. Take a look at the villa's tower and its Classicist origins.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the theater? In Zurich's Hottingen district, in Villa Tobler on Winkelwiese.

Is the park open to everyone? Yes, the park has been public since 1979.

When was the theater founded? Its first season ran in 1964.

Does it stage new plays? Yes, the "Dramenprozessor" program promotes new works by young Swiss writers.

Is the villa's interior historic? Yes, the Art Nouveau interior from around 1900 is considered among the most beautiful in Zurich.

Do I need to speak German? Performances are given in German, so some knowledge helps, but the park and architecture can be enjoyed without it.