
The sun sets at 4pm, it’s too cold to hang out at Tempelhofer Feld with a Radler and a ukulele and you have no inclination for first dates any more, as you’ve settled down with someone who can afford to pay their heating bill for the winter months… so what to do with these long, chilly nights? Well, why not head to the theatre? It might even be fun: here’s a look at some of the most joyful, camp shows this December and January that are sure to bring a little levity to your cynical, jaded hearts.
Bastian Kraft turns this comedy of errors into a gay romp where gender roles are subverted yet further
As You Fucking Like It is the Deutsches Theater’s queer take on one of Shakespeare’s queerest comedies. Remember: this is the one where a boy actor would have played Rosalind’s character dressed as a girl. Once in character, Rosalind then disguises himself as a boy for much of the play, and then pretends to be a girl. Bastian Kraft turns this comedy of errors into a gay romp where gender roles are subverted yet further – while still asking important questions. All performances have English surtitles and it’s even showing on Christmas Day.
If music and dancing is more your thing, Heimathafen Neukölln has more performances of Auf Wieder Bye Bye, the story of Berlin’s American Forces Network. In case you didn’t know, the broadcaster was set up in occupied Berlin in 1945 to provide news and, perhaps more importantly, some light relief and dancehall tunes in English for US soldiers stationed here. As one of the only radio stations playing jazz, blues and swing in a broken, divided post-war Germany, it quickly grew popular beyond its target audience. This variety show looks at this unique piece of Berlin’s cultural history with acrobatics, dance, live music and comedy.
Meanwhile in Mitte, celebrations are underway: 75 Years of Komische Oper. Arguably Berlin’s campest and most lowbrow opera house, it’s always worth a visit. But this evening in particular will showcase the cream of the crop amongst choir and soloists and give an insight into the long and exciting history of the place.
And for those of you who have been missing long-time intendant Barrie Kosky, he will return as director in January with his take on the hilarious and moving musical La Cage Aux Folles. This is all coming as the opera house begins to wind things down in 2023 for a much-needed renovation and a temporary move to nearby Schiller Theater that will last at least five years.
maybe your antidote to winter blues is ballet. In this case, the Staatsballett is where to turn.
But maybe your antidote to winter blues is ballet. In this case, the Staatsballett is where to turn. There’s a double whammy of Tchaikovsky, as both Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake are being revived in December in two original and interesting takes on music and performances you may feel you know well. Patrice Bart’s choreography will make you catch your breath with the technique on display, but you can still feel comfortable taking your grandmother, or conservative Brandenburg friends – whichever you prefer.
And if all of this simply isn’t camp enough for you – remember Berlin’s cheesy variety scene is not just for tourists. Arise Grand Show at the Friedrichstadt-Palast is probably the best of the genre running at the moment, and it’s taken the unusual step of playing with the variety concept by giving a nice coming-of-age plot to the show. Also a safe choice if you have relatives visiting this Christmas – or you are simply sick of postmodern new writing about death and depression. Normal (existentialist) service will be resumed in 2023.
- As You Fucking Like It Dec 2, 8, 9, 25, 31, also through Jan Deutsches Theater
- Auf Wieder Bye Bye Dec 2-4 Heimathafen Neukölln
- 75 Years of Komische Oper Dec 23 Komische Oper
- La Cage aux Folles Jan 28 onwards Komische Oper
- Sleeping Beauty Dec 2, 5, 8, 15, 20, 26, 30 and Jan 3 Deutsche Oper
- Swan Lake Dec 25, 28, Jan 4, 6, 8, 13, 17, 20 Staatsoper Unter den Linden
- Arise Grand Show Through Dec and Jan Friedrichstadt-Palast