Ernst Deutsch Theatre

The Ernst Deutsch Theatre in Hamburg is Germany's biggest private theatre. It was founded as 'Das Junge Theater' ('The Young Theatre') by Friedrich Schütter and Wolfgang Borchert, and rechristened in 1973, on the fourth anniversary of the death of Ernst Deutsch, as the Ernst Deutsch Theatre. The great German-Jewish actor was forced to emigrate in 1933. After his return from the USA, his powerful personality and outstanding acting were a decisive influence on German theatre of the postwar period.

On the site of the UFA Palace, a place rich in traditional associations, a performance stage with every modern resource was rapidly created. Having been completely renovated in 2002, the theatre now has 744 seats. A studio stage in the foyer offers 80 seats for literary and musical performances. In 2008 a further performance venue was opened, aimed at young people – the 'plattform-Bühne' (platform theatre) with 100 seats.

A separate workshop complex houses not only a stage for rehearsals but also the theatre's own workshops, where costumes and stage sets are made. The Ernst Deutsch Theatre has 120 employees on its payroll. In the course of a season, the three theatres give 400 performances to more than 200,000 spectators.