Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus

The Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus is a theatre building and company in Düsseldorf. The present building with two major auditoria was designed by the architect and built between 1965 and 1969. It opened in 1970.HistoryThe theatre dates back to 1747 when during the reign of elector Karl Theodor the Gießhaus was transformed to a theatre. In 1818 Friedrich Wilhelm II donated this building to the city of Düsseldorf. Josef Derossi was its first director, succeeded in 1834 by the poet Karl Leberecht Immermann. In 1905 a house dedicated to plays was opened by Louise Dumont and Gustav Lindemann who brought the house to fame.After World War II Wolfgang Langhoff was the first director, succeeded in 1946 by Gustaf Gründgens. His directions made the house one of the most important stages in Europe. In 1955 he was succeeded by Karl Heinz Stroux.Present buildingThe present theatre was commissioned by the city of Düsseldorf during the tenure of Stroux. The Operettenhaus, which had served as a venue for performance of plays after World War II, proved too limited. In 1957 a new building was proposed, for which the site, on Gustaf-Gründgens-Platz, was secured in 1958. An international competition was held in 1959 and won by Pfau. The theatre is designed like a sculpture, juxtaposed to the nearby Dreischeibenhaus. The style has been described as organic architecture. The great hall (Großes Haus) seated 900 people then (now 760), the small hall (Kleines Haus) 300.