A tiny wooden door creaks open. Welcome to the Puppentheater Plappermaul.
This isn’t just any puppet theater. It’s a Heidelberg institution. Founded in 1999 by Winfried and Simone Hildenbeutel it started with a simple homemade peepshow booth. Their first self-written play launched a journey.
The Puppentheater Plappermaul quickly grew. More players joined. Their repertoire expanded. They performed in schools kindergartens and community centers around Heidelberg. An article in the Rhein-Neckar Zeitung helped them find a permanent home in 2004.
For ten years the Stephanushaus served as their stage. In 2013 alone they hosted 132 performances for about 9200 visitors. A truly impressive feat. Finding a new location proved challenging. But persistence paid off.
After a long search the Puppentheater Plappermaul found its new home. The “Old Waschhaus” on Steinhofweg 20 underwent extensive renovations. It reopened November 1 2015. The renovation was even partially funded by the Klaus Tschira Stiftung.
Their mobile peepshow booth continues to bring joy. They frequently visit schools and kindergartens throughout the region. The Puppentheater Plappermaul is a member of the Bund deutscher Amateurtheater and the Landesverband Amateurtheater Baden-Württemberg. It’s entirely self-funded through ticket sales and membership fees.
Their shows cater to children aged three to eight. They primarily produce their own work focusing on fairy tales and Kasperle plays. They also feature occasional guest performances. You might catch classic fairy tales such as “Zwerg Nase” or “The Devil with the Three Golden Hairs”. Or perhaps one of their original creations like “Kasper’s Great Journey” or “Kasper and the Gummy Bears”.
The Puppentheater Plappermaul isn’t just entertainment. It’s an experience. It’s a place where imagination flourishes. Where children’s laughter echoes through the halls. It’s a testament to the power of puppetry. And it’s a place you’ll never forget. So step inside and let the magic begin.