How about this: laughter echoes from within these walls. This is the Haus der Springmaus. It is one of Germany’s most renowned cabaret venues. The Haus der Springmaus is located on the Endenich “Kulturmeile”. Specifically, it is on Frongasse in Endenich.
The Haus der Springmaus opened on April 1, 1993. However, the story began much earlier. Bill Mockridge founded Germany’s first improvisation theater “Springmaus” in 1983. Initially, they performed on Sundays in the Bonn pub “Anno Tubac”. It quickly became an insider tip. The Springmaus ensemble found its first venue in the old table tennis cellar. This cellar belonged to the Catholic community on Oxfordstraße.
Many famous cabaret artists started or continued their careers here. Harald Schmidt and Hanns-Dieter Hüsch are among them. Richard Rogler and Konrad Beikircher also performed here. Andreas Etienne, Susanne Tremper, and Susanne Seidler are other names on the long list. The theater’s fame grew steadily.
The small theater soon became too cramped. A larger venue with more seats was needed. The search took years. Eventually, the empty dance hall in Endenich’s Frongasse was offered. A Bonn housing association converted the building in just nine months. On April 1, 1993, the new theater opened. It was eight years after the first Haus der Springmaus opened on Oxfordstraße. The Haus der Springmaus had finally found its home.
Today, it remains a magnet for Bonn’s cabaret scene. It is a major attraction on the Endenich Kulturmeile. The Haus der Springmaus e. V. welcomes over 65,000 visitors annually. It is the main home of the Springmaus improvisation theater. Berit Baumhoff is the managing director. Andreas Etienne is the chairman.
The program includes cabaret, improvisation, concerts, and literary events. The theater has been the Springmaus improvisation theater’s main venue since its opening. In 1995, the Haus der Springmaus opened its doors to children. This was through an initiative by the Bonner Piccolo puppet show. It launched one of the most successful children’s theater series in the Rhineland region. Since September 2006, @rheinkabarett has been another in-house ensemble. Andreas Etienne and actor Michael Müller are part of it.
Many famous artists have performed at the Haus der Springmaus. Urban Priol and Robert Kreis are among them. Bastian Pastewka and Luke Mockridge have also graced the stage. Dieter Nuhr and Mario Barth held test performances of their new programs here.
The Haus der Springmaus also organizes events outside its own theater. It has hosted the Bonner Kabarett Festival in the Roncalli Mirror Tent. This festival featured national and international artists. Other events have taken place in the Beethovenhalle and the Brückenforum in Bonn.
The theater hall dates back to the turn of the century. It accommodates 280 guests at tables. Originally, the building was a dance hall. Later, it became a gymnasium. In 1993, the team around Andreas Etienne transformed the building into a theater. A large gallery was added. The venue also gained a spacious foyer with a bar and cloakroom.
The Haus der Springmaus also focuses on sustainability. It has installed a solar system and LED lighting. The climate control and ventilation systems have been updated. The theater is deeply rooted in Bonn’s Carnival tradition. The Mouse Order is awarded here in collaboration with the Bonn Carnival Committee. The “Forschologicum” event series demonstrates that science and Carnival are not mutually exclusive. The Haus der Springmaus has even been a “Jecker Prinz” once.
Bill Mockridge founded the Springmaus improvisation theater in Bonn in 1983. The founding members included Margie Kinsky and Anka Zink. Sue Schulze, Andreas Etienne, Michael Müller, and Helmut Lauterbach were also involved. The ensemble quickly gained popularity beyond the region.