Großes Schauspielhaus

The Großes Schauspielhaus (Great Theater) was a theater in Berlin, Germany, designed by architect Hans Poelzig for theater director Max Reinhardt. The structure was built as a market hall in 1867 and then served as a circus and event venue. Poelzig transformed it into an Expressionist venue in 1919, when it began to host Reinhardt's productions. The design featured a domed ceiling with stalactite-like decorations, indirect lighting and palm-like light columns in the foyer. The house later hosted revue and was used by the Nazis for propaganda. After World War II it reopened as a variety house. Severe foundation damage led to its closing in 1980 and demolition in 1985.
History
The Großes Schauspielhaus was part of a network of theaters managed by Max Reinhardt, a leading figure in Berlin's theater scene. Reinhardt, who became director of the Deutsches Theater Berlin in 1905, expanded his influence to include several venues in Berlin and Vienna, such as the Volksbühne, the Theater am Kurfürstendamm, and the Großes Schauspielhaus.
In 1867, the building that would later become the Großes Schauspielhaus was constructed as a market hall with an iron structure. By 1873, it was converted into a circus arena with a capacity of 5,000 spectators, operated by several owners, including Albert Salamonsky, Ernst Renz, and Albert Schumann.
In 1919, architect Hans Poelzig transformed the building into a theater for Reinhardt, redesigning the interior with a distinctive dome featuring hanging stalactite-like forms, which became known as the "Tropfsteinhöhle" (Dripstone Cave). Between 1919 and 1921, Reinhardt used the Großes Schauspielhaus to stage several productions, including The Oresteia, Danton's Death, and Julius Caesar. These productions were known for their elaborate staging and made full use of the theater’s advanced technical features, including a revolving stage, a cyclorama, and an adjustable forestage. The theater was referred to as the "Theater of Five Thousand".<ref name=":2" />
In the 1920s, the theater became one of the first venues in Berlin to feature revues, under the direction of Erik Charell. After 1933, it was renamed "Theater des Volkes" (Theater of the People).<ref name":0" /> During the Third Reich, the theater played a significant role in Nazi state-directed culture and propaganda, overseen by Joseph Goebbels.<ref name":1" />
Following World War II, in August 1945, artist Marion Spadoni reopened the venue as "Varieté der 3000" under license from the Soviet city command. In 1947, it was taken over by the Magistrate of Berlin and renamed "Friedrichstadtpalast," becoming the largest variety theater in East Germany. Severe foundation damage caused structural issues, and so the Friedrichstadtpalast was closed in 1980 and demolished by 1985.<ref name=":0" />

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