“And in the evenings we’re off to the Scala” The words echo across time. They whisper from this Scala Plaque on Martin-Luther-Strasse. This unassuming plaque marks a spot of legendary hedonism. Here stood the Scala Variety Theater a dazzling jewel of Weimar Berlin.
Imagine the Scala in its prime. Three thousand seats filled with eager faces. The air thick with anticipation. The famous Scala Girls captivating the audience. Their performances were legendary. Contortionists amazed with their flexibility. Trapeze artists soared gracefully overhead. The Comedian Harmonists filled the theatre with their harmonious melodies. The entire show was a spectacle of light and sound.
The Scala wasn’t just entertainment. It was a reflection of a vibrant era. The Roaring Twenties. A time of artistic excellence. A time when the world felt full of possibilities. The theatre opened in 1919. It was founded by Karl Wolffsohn. He had Jewish financial backers. The Nazis later expropriated the theatre. Wolffsohn fled to Palestine.
The Scala’s program was a delicious mix. Circus acts. Dance numbers. Theatre. Comedy. Music. All under dimly lit rooms. Sometimes it was a dinner theatre. Food and wine were an essential part of the experience. The price ranged from 12.50 Reichsmark for a seat in the stalls. Box seats cost a more extravagant 40 Reichsmark.
Erich Heckel a Brcke artist was a regular visitor. He was captivated by the Rivels a Spanish clown group. He immortalized them in a woodcut. The Scala was a microcosm of Weimar Berlin. It attracted international stars. It embodied the carefree spirit of the era. It existed until 1944. The building was destroyed in the Second World War.
Today only this plaque remains. A poignant reminder of a lost world. A testament to the vibrant culture of Weimar Berlin. The Scala’s legacy lives on. Its spirit endures. Take a moment. Let the plaque’s story transport you back in time. Feel the energy. Hear the music. Experience the magic of the Scala.