For 25 years, the Schwörer family has been sailing the world's oceans to conduct field research in the most remote regions and to inspire the next generation for environmental protection. The filmmaker accompanied the eight-member family for seven years and documented how they question conventional norms of upbringing, education, home, and security. Until a storm forces them to rethink their life choices and family structure.

possibly remaining tickets available at the box office

What if the economic miracle after World War II had not taken place in Germany, but in Turkey instead? What if German guest workers had helped to rebuild Turkey – and not the other way around? This exciting thought experiment forms the basis of the play.

In scenes in German and songs in Turkish, "Istanbul" tells a tragicomic story of the search for happiness, love, and home. The songs of Sezen Aksu, the founder and Grande Dame of Turkish pop, serve as inspiration for the play.

An ahistorical historical comedy in four acts by Friedrich Dürrenmatt

Direction: Silvester Keller

We find ourselves in Rome on March 15, 476. Not much of the former glory of Rome remains. The buildings hint at what great empire once was here. Everything is going as usual when it suddenly sounds: "The Germans are coming." An almost unstoppable army is approaching Rome led by Odoacer. Just in such times, a leader has always been able to prove himself in Rome's past. Romulus, the emperor of Rome, sees the danger marching towards Rome and does the only sensible thing: He feeds his chickens. While the last citizens remaining in Rome cannot believe their eyes, the danger from the north gets ever closer. A play for the truly relevant chicken-egg questions. A shrill play, profound and screamingly funny. From slapstick to dramatic moments, this play leaves nothing to be desired. The piece is simply a classic and can finally be realized thanks to our many performers. Vorhang Auf thus offers fine entertainment again in January. Additionally, it is the longest time travel into the past we have had so far. The production also holds one or two stylistic surprises in store. A piece for all who enjoy theater.

Cast:
Marie Baur
Alberto Terriuolo
Simone Essig
Kübra Alabay
Carolin Stang
Raphael Mohrlok
Moritz Keller
Manuele Pilloni
Silvia Katz
Sven Gebhard
Tobias Ruscher
Lisa Gerstenmeyer

Admission and catering from 6 PM

2024-09-29_The Eternal Snob

2024-11-30_Mindfully Murdering

2025-02-15_Things I Know for Sure

2025-03-22_Rent a Friend

2025-04-26_Waiting for the Bus

Northern England in April 1912: When the lost cross of the Kings of England is found in the crypt of the small church of Treswell, all the villagers are in great excitement. An old legend surrounds this cross and strange crimes occur.. Reverend Marble is furious at the greed and discord that is revealed, but the police are clueless. Only Miss Jane, Reverend Marble's sister, can solve the mystery with her sharp mind. Enjoy an exquisite 3-course meal with an English crime comedy in the best Agatha Christie style.

Actually, everything happened by accident: First, Dominik "Dodokay" Kuhn taught Swabian to Darth Vader, Barack Obama, the German Bundestag, and many others on YouTube & Co., and then in 2014 he also ended up with his own stand-up comedy show on stage. Since then, the Dodokay train has been speeding through Swabia worldwide and stopping at as many stations as possible.
Ten years of Dodokay live on stage – it's clear that the new show "I bin's selber" celebrates the anniversary! Of course, there are brand new synchronizations on the brought screen, but the tour is also an opportunity to look back at ten years on stage. In addition to highlights from this time, Dodokay answers new burning questions in his famous stand-ups that no one has asked: Why do Swabians mostly say the opposite of what they think? What does SV49 actually do? Who voices all the characters in the videos? Is it Dodokay himself?
Anyone who knows Dodokay's show must see this one too; those who don't know it, even more so. In any case, with Dodokay, three things are guaranteed: It will be funny, he speaks Swabian, and it's himself.
Information and

Admission: 7:00 pm

MVB – Münchner Volkssänger-Bühne e.V.
„Die Drei-Zehnerl-Oper“ – A Steaming Comedy by Fritz Heider

We are in the year 1805. Not only politically, turbulent times prevail in Bavaria.
It is also tumultuous in the Munich underworld, where thieves, grifters, and riffraff are wreaking havoc and forming rival clans.
Thus, the beggar clan and the grifter clan relentlessly fight for supremacy in the world of the outlaws during these times.

With the sudden death of the “Beggar King,” his young second wife, a former floozy, takes over his position of power, much to the dismay of the two “royal children” from the Beggar King's first marriage. The fact that the new “Beggar Queen” now also wants to win over the arch-enemy of the beggar clan, the infamous Platzl-Fonse, leader of the grifter clan, pushes the situation to the breaking point.

A scheming, murderous game for power, greed, and money begins….

Admission: 19:30

Eight Classical Concerts

Tickets may still be available at local box offices or at the door.

Admission: 7:00 PM

The well-mannered boy Jim Hawkins lives and works together with his mother in the "Admiral Benbow". Jim dreams of sea adventures, pirates, and freedom. One day, Billy Bones, a washed-up pirate, appears and tells Jim the story of the pirate treasure of the famous Captain Flint, and the boy is hooked. He wants to go to sea and find this treasure! Together with his paternal friend Dr. Livesey, he charters a ship and quickly finds a crew.

The adventure idyll could hardly be more perfect, but among the supposedly loyal crew is none other than Long John Silver, the one-legged and cunning pirate who now sees his chance to finally get his hands on the treasure of his former friend and Captain - Captain Flint. An exciting journey begins, and Jim must realize who he can really trust and the value that courage and friendship gain on such a journey - more valuable than gold could ever be.

With "The Treasure Island - The Adventure Musical," the production company Fairytale Factory, based in Halle (Saale), creates a fast-paced musical theater for the whole family. The play and the lyrics come from the pen of director and author Sabine Hennig. The music was created in collaboration with Alexander Hohaus. The already exciting novel is now being reimagined and made accessible to a young audience. The audience can expect a thrilling adventure with funny characters, lots of music, dance, and, of course, a treasure to be found. So, join, set sail, and conquer "The Treasure Island - The Musical."

The event lasts approximately 2 hours, including a 20-minute intermission with beverage service.

Sascha Pazdera "Michael Jackson Tribute Live Experience"

Captured Live: The Uniqueness of the "King of Pop" Returns

There are only a few artists whose music is immortal, who are still known and listened to by generations after. Michael Jackson is a unique masterpiece of music, singing, messages, and deep emotions. That remains for generations...
"It is never about being the best copy of an uncopyable artist," says Sascha Pazdera, "it is about conveying the uniqueness of an artist, the great music in harmony with the emotions, just as Michael Jackson intended."
Personal collaboration with Michael Jackson and la velle Smith jr.
He must know, as he has worked for the King of Pop himself in Europe, received personal tips for the Moonwalk from him, and gained the trust of Jackson's friend, stage partner, and choreographer la velle Smith jr. Sascha Pazdera and his "Michael Jackson Tribute Live Experience" are the only ensemble in Europe with the official permission from la velle Smith to use original choreography and the only ones trained and choreographed by him.
The program includes titles like Beat It, Bad, Heal the World, Thriller, Black or White, or Billie Jean. A special highlight of the show is Michael's 14-kilo heavy aluminum exoskeleton from the 1997 History Tour for the song "They Don’t Care About Us." This was specially handcrafted for Sascha in Brazil.
Multiple awards for authentic live performances
For 35 years, Pazdera has been touring European stages as a Tribute Artist and has been awarded numerous times: Multiple times as "tribute artist" and as "Artist of the Year" in 2007/2009/2012/2017: "The greatest honor for me is the Diamond of the Year 1998 for the best Michael Jackson live performance." In 2024, with over 80 booked concerts, he will be one of the most successful tribute artists worldwide.
The live shows are pure entertainment. Sascha Pazdera fully embodies the role. He actually sings like Michael Jackson, moves like the King of Pop, and never becomes a mere copy for even a single moment. The charisma and authenticity quickly convince every audience. Even the most skeptical among the spectators will feel: This could be how Michael Jackson would be experienced on stage now.
Current messages and unforgettable emotions
Not many had the chance for that experience even during his lifetime. The Michael Jackson Tribute Live Experience makes this experience possible with a fantastic live band, professional dancers, and impressive backing vocalists, who also master every solo. The stage show is a symbiosis of music, dance, words, and expression of genuine emotions. An experience that will not soon be forgotten. Just like the music of the exceptional artist will always endure. And indeed, his messages still matter. Songs like the "Earth Song" are more relevant than ever!

Doors open: 6:30 PM

Welcome to the realm of knowledge in the Baroque era: Stepping onto creaking floorboards into the quiet grandeur of our historical library hall, one is immediately enveloped by the collective knowledge of the Early Modern period. Like stage sets in a Baroque theater, the original bookshelves jut into the space, housing around 50,000 books from all fields of knowledge. Behind unassuming book spines lie remarkable treasures, such as the first German Bible printed in America.

At the end of the 17th century, the orphanage's library was established as one of the first public libraries in Germany. Primarily through donations, book exchanges, and their own publications, the library grew so rapidly that within a few years, it was comparable to significant German university libraries. In 1728, it received its own building, which is considered the oldest surviving secular library structure in Germany. Not only in recent times has the library been visited by guests and researchers from around the world: Albrecht von Haller, Johann Joachim Winckelmann, and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe all admired its bibliophilic treasures. We present a selection of them for you in rotating cabinet exhibitions in the former reading room of the library.

10 am - 5 pm

The Art and Natural History Chamber is considered the oldest German museum room. It was established by August Hermann Francke for educational purposes and is now once again set up according to the original museum concept of the 18th century in its historical location in the attic of the Historical Orphanage.

Eighteen richly decorated collection cabinets house approximately 3000 natural specimens, curiosities, and artifacts. They provide a unique impression of a Baroque cabinet of curiosities. Unlike modern museums, the chamber follows an encyclopedic collecting approach. A distinction is made between natural specimens and artifacts. The natural specimens are divided into rocks, plants, and animals, while the artifacts are categorized into visual arts, calligraphy, coins, everyday culture, and clothing. The goal was to create a mirror image of the world: a microcosm that made the macrocosm as the wonderful creation of God tangible.

In a series of events, art projects take place around the Art and Natural History Chamber. In the so-called "Contemporary Reflections on the Art and Natural History Chamber," foundations invite artists to engage in an artistic dialogue with the chamber.

Detailed information

Tue-Sun 10am-5pm

Palace-like, the orphanage rises on Franckeplatz. Then as now, it is the centerpiece of the Francke Foundations. Erected in 1698 as the first building of the school city, it represents a new facet of European Baroque, combining confident representation without extravagant ornamentation and setting the tone for orphanage architecture.

Today, the orphanage is our museum and cultural center. Right from the start, two permanent exhibitions guide you through the history of the foundation and the global impact of Pietism. On the first floor, the former prayer and singing hall surprises with its bright architecture. Today, it enjoys an excellent reputation as a concert hall due to its fantastic acoustics. In the adjacent conference rooms, a photo exhibition showcases the impressive renovation work since the foundations were reestablished in 1991. The second floor is reserved for our changing special exhibitions, which provide insight into important themes of the foundation's history from both a historical and contemporary perspective. Passing through the art and natural history collections in the attic, you reach the balcony via a narrow wooden staircase. Here, a wide view opens up over the impressive ensemble with school buildings from three centuries. There is also a splendid panorama of the Old Town of Halle from here. In the basement, children can explore their own paths in the Krokoseum.

10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

What power does the word have? For Halleschen Pietismus, the word was of central importance. On the ground floor of the Historical Orphanage, we show you how August Hermann Francke's reform movement could spread around the world.

Francke developed central reformative goals of Martin Luther's with Halleschen Pietismus. His approach was as clear as it was revolutionary: Every person should find God through their own Bible reading. However, for this to happen, everyone - boys and girls alike - had to learn to read, everyone should be able to afford their own Bible and it should be printed in their own native language. Therefore, Francke established schools for all social classes, printed millions of German-language People's Bibles, and created an international network through which the Bible was translated into many other languages. His educational initiative allowed a broad population to engage with the word. In the 18th-century evangelical parsonages, the authors of the Romantic and Enlightenment periods were highly regarded. A culture of self-reflection spread in Pietism, which was reflected in diaries and personal testimonies, giving us remarkable insights into the spiritual life of people of that time. Symbolically, the power of the word is also evident in the meticulously restored pulpit from the Church of St. Ulrich in Halle, where Francke preached from 1715 and which you can admire in the exhibition.

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

4 talers and 16 groschen are considered the founding capital of the Francke Foundations. How an unparalleled school city grew from this unexpected donation to a simple pastor in Glaucha can be discovered on the ground floor of the Historical Orphanage. A multimedia installation and numerous extraordinary objects will transport you into the fascinating founding and impact history of Francke's work. Because what began with a school for the poor and an orphanage, developed in a few decades into a true reform project that was based on education: Over 2,000 students learned in various schools, specially constructed economic buildings, a hospital, and a pharmacy guaranteed the care of over 3,000 people on the premises, unique cultural-historical collections in the library and chamber of wonders were established, and Francke's ideas were spread within and outside Europe. August Hermann Francke wanted nothing less than a "world change through personal change." Discover everything he set in motion through this.

10:00 am - 5:00 pm