Peene brennt — Vorpommersche Landesbühne

One of Vorpommern's best-known open-air theatre formats

»Die Peene brennt« has been an integral part of Anklam's summer cultural programme since its premiere in 2002. The play is performed annually at the beginning of September in the theatre courtyard of the Vorpommersche Landesbühne on the Peene harbour – an atmospheric open-air venue that has the character of a historical open-air stage.

Community play with professionals

The play thrives on an unusual ensemble: professional actors from the Vorpommersche Landesbühne perform together with students from the Vorpommern Theatre Academy (Zinnowitz) and dedicated citizens of Anklam. The amateur group »Die Peenebrenner«, the Fritz Reuter Ensemble, and the Anklam Carnival Club, in particular, contribute to the community play. More than 50 participants usually take to the stage.

Historical subjects — contemporary language

The plays tell episodes from Anklam's and Vorpommern's city history: the Hanseatic period, the Reformation, the Thirty Years' War, the Swedish era, the Prussian era, and the 20th century alternate from season to season. Music, dance, and spectacular fire effects make the format a multimedia theatre adventure for the whole family.

Regional context

The Vorpommersche Landesbühne, with its headquarters in Anklam, is the only professional theatre in southern Vorpommern and operates five venues in Anklam, Barth, Heringsdorf, Wolgast, and Zinnowitz. Anklam itself is located in the district of Vorpommern-Greifswald (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) on the Peene river. The theatre courtyard on the Peene harbour serves as the stage for one of Northern Germany's most distinguished open-air community plays.