Open Air Theatre

Schwäbisch Hall is envied for these festival grounds throughout the state: With its 54 steps and a circle segment of 70 meters in width, the stairs of St. Michael, built in 1507, are the impressive stage of a theatre that is unique in Germany. The late Gothic church of St. Michael, with its Roman tower, forms a magnificent "backdrop?. Framed by magnificent patrician houses, the audience sits on the market place in front of the baroque city hall. The closedness of this unique city ensemble contributed significantly to the success of the Freilichtspiele in Schwäbisch Hall.

Since 1925, the high-quality presentations on the steps of St. Michael attract a large audience: With renowned actors and directors from all over Germany, intendant Christoph Biermeier can boast sold-out performances. A major success during the anniversary year was the musical "Comedian Harmonists? with 23,540 visitors, apart from Schiller's "Don Carlos? and Brecht's "Dreigroschenoper?. In 2000, the growing stream of visitors led to the construction of the Hall Globe-Theater on the island in the river Kocher in the centre of the city: The unique rotunda made from wood with a three-level stage was designed specifically for the Shakespeare productions. Counting the Kleinen Treppe (Small Steps) in the Gelbinger Gasse, the site of the Kindertheater (Children's Theatre) since 1985, the Theaterkeller am Hafenmarkt (Theatre Basement at the Harbour Market) as well as the Theaterscheune (Theatre Barn) in the Freilandmuseum Wackershofen, the Hall Freilichtspiele take place on more than five venues.