Theater Fauteuil

Theater Fauteuil is a cabaret and small-stage theatre in Basel, tucked into the cellar of a building at Spalenberg 12 in the Old Town. Open since 1957, it is among the best-known comedy venues in German-speaking Switzerland. For a visitor it offers a chance to see local cultural life up close, in an intimate setting.

Where does the name Fauteuil come from?

The theatre was founded in November 1957 by Roland Rasser, son of the well-known cabaret performer Alfred Rasser. For the opening night, each guest was asked to bring their own chair as the admission ticket. That is where the name comes from, since "fauteuil" is the French word for armchair. Some of those legendary seats stayed in use for audiences until 2002. The stage was inaugurated by the cabaret "Gigampfi", in which the founder performed himself.

What else is in the building?

In 1971 a smaller stage, the Tabourettli, was added in the same place. Its name means stool, so the seating joke continues. Two floors up sits the historic Kaisersaal, directly above both theatres. Depending on the seating layout and the event, it holds between 120 and 200 people. Today the whole venue is run by siblings Caroline and Claude Rasser, the next generation of the founding family.

What can you see here?

The programme mixes cabaret, stand-up, spoken word and theatre productions. Each year the house stages a few of its own shows, and it also hosts performers from across Switzerland and neighbouring countries. The comedy "Caveman" has been running here since 2001 and has become one of the venue's signatures. Evening shows usually start at 8 pm, and the calendar also includes events linked to Basel's carnival, such as a showcase of Schnitzelbängg, the satirical rhymed songs performed during Fasnacht.

Do you need to understand German?

In practice, yes. Most of the programme is in German, often with touches of local dialect, and the humour relies heavily on language. If you do not speak German, the building is still a charming piece of local history to see from outside, but for a show you will want a good command of the language.

How to plan a visit

The theatre sits in the heart of the Old Town on Spalenberg, the street that leads toward the Spalentor gate. The area is full of small shops, cafes and historic houses, so it is easy to combine an evening performance with a stroll through the centre. Tickets are sold at the box office at Spalenberg 12 or online. Programmes and dates change, so check the current schedule at fauteuil.ch.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Theater Fauteuil? At Spalenberg 12, 4051 Basel, in the Old Town.

When was the theatre founded? In November 1957, by Roland Rasser.

Why is it called Fauteuil? For the opening night, the audience brought their own chairs as tickets.

What is the Tabourettli? A smaller stage in the same building, opened in 1971.

Can I see the Kaisersaal? It is a historic hall above the theatre stages, used for events. The easiest way in is a ticket to an event held there.