Fancy a journey to a place where laughter echoes and political incorrectness is celebrated? Then, welcome to the BKA-Theater.
The BKA-Theater is not just any theater. It is a home for cabaret. Since 1988, this treasured spot on the fifth floor of Mehringdamm has been synonymous with Berlin’s finest entertainment. Think chanson, comedy, music, and musical theatre.
The Berliner Kabarett Anstalt or BKA, as Berliners fondly call it, started with “Die Enterbten” in April 1988. They were heirs to the scattered bits of Cabaret of the West. Since then, the BKA-Theater has been a stage for political and musical cabaret, off-musicals, and comedy. It also showcases new music, poetry, and singer-songwriter programs.
What makes the BKA-Theater truly special is its knack for blending sophistication with quirkiness and political satire. The productions here are brilliant, sometimes irksome, and always keep their finger on the pulse of the times.
Beyond the traditional formats, a cheeky travesty scene has thrived here since the mid-1990s. Ades Zabel & Company’s “Neuköllnicals,” featuring Edith Schröder, have become folk theatre in the best sense. The BKA-Theater even has its own improvisation group, CHAOS ROYAL. This young and musically gifted troupe engages directly with the audience, both online and live.
Since 1989, the weekly concert series “Unerhörte Musik” has enriched the BKA’s offerings with contemporary chamber music. The BKA-Theater also presents theatre events for children and young people.
In 2016, the BKA-Theater premiered its first in-house production in years, the off-musical “Wildes Berlin.” This was followed by “Zombie Berlin” in 2019 and “Operetta for Two Gay Tenors” in 2021.
A basic renovation in 2013 and the expansion of the small stage in 2019 gave the night stage a new lease of life. This created a clubby atmosphere in the BKA foyer.
The BKA-Theater celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2018 with the festival “BKA 3.0 – at the top since 1988.” Big stars shared the stage with contemporary talents and newcomers.
Uwe Berger and Sven Ihlenfeld lead the BKA team with dedication. They work tirelessly to maintain one of Berlin’s most traditional cabaret stages without government subsidies.
The BKA-Theater boasts a roster of regular artists. These include Ades Zabel, Bodo Wartke, and Wladimir Kaminer. Others are Sigrid Grajek, Stefan Danziger, and Matthias Egersdörfer.
Please note that all performances at the BKA-Theater are in German. The box office is open from 5 pm to 9 pm, Monday to Sunday. The phone reservation is available on Mon – Sat: 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Sun + Holidays 2:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.. Christmas Eve + New Year’s Eve 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
So, next time you are in Berlin, make sure to visit the BKA-Theater. You will experience an evening of laughter and unforgettable entertainment high over the roofs of Kreuzberg.