Hans Otto Theater

Hans Otto Theater is the city theater of Potsdam. It operates in the legal form of a limited liability company (GmbH). Since September 2006, its ensemble has been performing at the New Theater, which is understood synonymously as the seat of the house under Hans Otto Theater and is located on the grounds of Schiffbauergasse at the shore of the Tiefen See. Another venue of the theater is the neighboring historic riding hall. Furthermore, it regularly performs at the Palais Theater in the New Palace.
The Royal Playhouse, dedicated to the enjoyment of the inhabitants, was opened in 1795 under King Friedrich Wilhelm II, the successor of Friedrich II, at the Potsdam City Canal. Due to its location, it was colloquially called "Canal Opera." The house accommodated 700 guests and initially served as a venue for the Royal National Theater in Berlin, had no own ensemble and was under the artistic direction of the Berlin General Directorate. The program included plays, operas, and ballets—all guest performances from Berlin. Since the Potsdam garrison made up about a third of the population, military personnel formed a large part of the audience alongside the civilian public. From 1846, the house was operated by private tenants and directors with their own ensembles. They showcased plays and operas, as well as comedies and much trivial content. The enterprises were economically shaky; the house was temporarily closed several times. After the outbreak of the First World War, it switched to patriotic performances. After the November Revolution in 1918, the state took over the theater and handed it over in 1919 to a former officer, Kurt Pehlemann, as a tenant, chief stage director, and actor. Pehlemann staged popular German classics, entertainment, and German-nationalist works. In 1924, the theater was transformed into Potsdam Schauspielhaus GmbH; Pehlemann became the intendant. Shortly thereafter, the house was renovated with public funds and donations and reduced to 650 seats. For the reopening in 1929, Schiller's Kabale und Liebe was performed. After 1933, the repertoire was restructured: in addition to little classics, light fare and National Socialist drama were performed. In 1945, the theater burned down after heavy artillery shelling in the Second World War, and in 1966 the ruins were blown up.

Wikipedia