My first time ... at the Kurtheater Baden

On 18 October, I visit the Kurtheater Baden for the first time. With nine permanent employees, it appears to be a small theatre, but with its 600 seats it is the largest theatre in the canton of Aargau. The location alone is worth a visit: five minutes' walk from Baden railway station, the modern building is right next to a large park. It is a lovely place to spend time, as are the two foyers, both of which face the park with their large window fronts. The building was recently remodelled and extended, but some elements, such as the lamps, have been retained. I am told all this information by Carla Müller. She gives me a tour of the building before the season opens.

Would you also like to take a look backstage? On 26 October, you'll have the chance to do so on a tour of the building with Ursula Dietrich:

Just before the start, I take a look at the programme for the 2024/25 season. It's a great show with a promising mix of theatre, dance, musical theatre, readings and concerts. Uwe Heinrich, Artistic Director of the theatre, tells us this at the beginning of the performance. The Kurtheater Baden mainly invites productions, including international, national and regional guest performances as well as co-productions. There will be five premieres, including the haunting #MeToo drama Prima Facie and Poems from inner Space, which celebrates its premiere this week.

From this season, the theatre also has a new mediation centre, which complements the programme with play introductions, post-show discussions and workshops. All information on this can be found here.

Back to the opening evening: The new season opens with a BANG! With Slippery Slope by the Maxim Gorki Theatre Berlin, which was invited to the 2022 Berlin Theatertreffen and describes itself as "almost a musical". This expectation is completely fulfilled: there is singing, but not too much. There is a lot of content, but it doesn't go too deep. The message at the end? a little unclear. But the humour, the fabulous costumes and the exaggerated acting make this play. I really enjoyed the performance and would watch it again at any time. Just as I definitely intend to visit the Kurtheater Baden more often!