Halli Galli at Staatstheater Augsburg: A premiere about Hans Rosenthal
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When entertainment writes history: Halli Galli in Augsburg
On Christmas Day, a dazzling stage space opens in the brechtbühne at the Gaswerk for an extraordinary premiere: Halli Galli (a show without Hans Rosenthal) combines show, theater, and German memory culture. The play by Felix Krakau accompanies the journey of the legendary entertainer Hans Rosenthal to the stage and poses a provocative question: How much lightness can a society bear that wants to suppress its past?
Between television glamour and suppressed history
Hans Rosenthal shaped German television in the post-war era as a showmaster. As a Jew who narrowly survived the Holocaust, he became one of the most popular entertainers in the Federal Republic. His career thus stands for upheaval, economic miracle, and the desire for carefree entertainment. The staging does not create a nostalgic television evening from this tension, but rather a dramaturgical examination of memory, audience, and the price of laughter.
A premiere with theatrical energy
Director David Ortmann leads the audience into a stage world where show elements and acting artistry intertwine. The dramaturgy follows Rosenthal's path to the limelight and shows an audience that does not merely watch but becomes part of his story. Between stage lights, musical direction, and precise actor guidance, a stage experience arises that understands entertainment as a societal resonance space.
Set design, costumes, and light as a time machine
Steffi Wurster creates the set design, Katja Schröpfer is responsible for the costumes, and Alexander Cappek for the lighting. Together, they create the sensual surface of a show world, under whose gloss historical fractures remain visible. The acoustics of the brechtbühne, the musical direction of Stefan Leibold, and the work of dramaturge Mara Goga confer a unique theatrical atmosphere to the production, blending variety, television memory, and political spoken theater.
Why this play resonates
Halli Galli starts with a familiar figure of German popular culture and opens a broader view of post-war society, media history, and memory politics. The contrast between exuberant show and suppressed past creates a productive tension. The audience experiences not just a biography, but a stage reflection on whether fun at any price is possible.
Conclusion: Visitors can expect a premiere with historical depth, musical energy, and a unique perspective on German television history on December 25, 2026. Those who appreciate theater as lively contemplation, sensory stage experience, and thoughtful entertainment will experience an evening at the brechtbühne at the Gaswerk that resonates far beyond the final applause.
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