COMEDIA Theater

Opened in 2009, the COMEDIA Theater isn’t just any theater. It’s a phoenix, risen from the ashes of Cologne’s former Fire Station No. IV. This vibrant hub, nestled in Südstadt, pulsates with the energy of young audiences. The COMEDIA Theater champions elaborate in-house productions. It also showcases top-tier guest performances. Cabaret and comedy acts grace its stages. The adjoining Wagenhalle, once a fire station garage, now welcomes guests as a listed building and restaurant. The COMEDIA Theater itself is housed in a new building. It is seamlessly connected to the historic fire station. This connection symbolizes the theater’s commitment to both preserving history and fostering new creative flames. The original fire station, built in 1904, served the city until 2004. Its unique architecture, designed by Johannes Kleefisch, stands as a testament to Cologne’s rich past. The theater’s story begins much earlier, in 1974. A free children’s and youth theater group, “Ömmes & Oimel,” was founded in Würzburg. This group eventually found a home in Cologne in 1977. In 1982, they established a permanent venue in a former supermarket. The group finally moved into its current home in 2009. With the move, they adopted the name “COMEDIA Theater.” Today, the COMEDIA Theater embraces a three-pronged approach to its programming. “Theater for Young Audiences” presents adaptations of classic stories, alongside contemporary works. “Satire plus” caters to adults with a mix of cabaret, music, and theater. The “Theater Labor” fosters interaction between artists and audiences. It uses the theater’s rehearsal rooms for workshops, training, and community projects. Inside the renovated fire station, you’ll find remnants of its past. Rutschstangen, once used by firefighters, now serve as unique decorative elements in the Wagenhalle restaurant. The original green tiles still adorn the walls, a nostalgic nod to the building’s history. The upper floor of the old fire station houses rehearsal and course rooms, offices, and even apartments for guest artists. The original gymnasium in the attic has been meticulously restored, serving as a rehearsal stage. The COMEDIA Theater hosts around 600 performances a year. Roughly half of these are dedicated to young audiences, reaffirming its mission as a center for youth culture. So next time you’re at the COMEDIA Theater, take a moment to appreciate its dual nature. It is a modern cultural hub thriving within the historic walls of a former fire station. This unique blend of old and new makes the COMEDIA Theater a true gem in Cologne’s cultural landscape.