Munich's theatre landscape is diverse. It can't quite keep up with Berlin's variety, but many venues bear the comparison with the capital.

First of all the state-run theatres: Bayerische Staatsoper, the Nationaltheater, was opened in 1818 as Germany's first detached opera house. The annual opera festival from end of June to end July has given Munich an international reputation in the opera world. But also the piano genius Keith Jarrett has performed in the holy place already.

Also the state ballett and the Staatsschauspiel are based here. The latter has Residenztheater as its main venue. Here Dieter Dorn is the director since 2001, after having contributed to the great reputation of Münchner Kammerspiele over 25 years.

The Cuvilliés-Theater at Münchner Residenz is said to be the Germany's outstanding rococo theatre. It has been reopened in June 2008 after renovation works, with the piece that was premiered here in 1781: Mozart's Idomeneo. The theatre is well worth a visit for a play or a tour.

Another state gem is the Prinzregentheater, which is mainly used by August Everdings Bayerische Theaterakademie. It was built between 1900 - 1901 using the example of Bayreuther Festspielhaus. The program is ample offering also special readings or concerts.

Staatstheater am Gärtnerplatz is not only a popular meet-up in summer nights, when young people from Glockenbachviertel gather on the stairs of the neo-classical buidling. It wants to appeal all senses with its program and offers  a variety of opera, operette, musical and dance.

The major one among the municpal theatres is the one of Münchner Kammerspiele, as mentioned before. Here Bertolt Brecht staged his plays and great directors like Erich Engel, August Everding or Dieter Dorn managed the house. The new director Frank Baumbauer combines classics and the new generation of authors like Johan Simons. Since 1946 famous acting school Otto-Falckenberg is accomodated here.

Schauburg is also part of Kammerspiele and concentrates on kids and youth theatre. In the heart of Schwabing at Elisabethmarkt the diverse stage technique is a garantor for the fun of the younger ones, but also of the older ones.

Volkstheater as the third municipal stage has mastered a change from a folk theatre to modernity. Since the season 2002/03 a younger, fresher wind blows through the house – with a rejuvenated ensemble and younger writers. Christian Stückl takes responisibilty for that and still keeps an eye on the traditional guard around Franz-Xaver Kroetz.

The Deutsche Theater has temporarily moved to a tent in Fröttmaning due to renovation works. There is starts October 16th with the musical „In Nomine Patris“. After quite a debate the historic site remains, well-known for its revues and functions.

by Christopher Willis