Hohenzollern Castle Shakespeare Open-Air Theatre

Hohenzollern Castle — Ancestral Seat of the Prussian Royal House

Hohenzollern Castle towers at 855 meters above Hechinger Berg, in the Zollernalbkreis (AGS 08417). It is the ancestral seat of the House of Hohenzollern — the noble house that provided the Kings of Prussia from 1701 to 1918 and the German Emperors from 1871 to 1918. The current castle, in Neo-Gothic style, was built between 1850 and 1867 according to plans by Friedrich August Stüler, court architect to Frederick William IV. With its towers, gates, and courtyards, it is considered one of Germany's most spectacular castle settings.

Shakespeare Theatre in the Courtyard

In summer, the castle courtyard becomes an open-air stage — and for years, the performance by the American Drama Group Europe with Shakespeare productions has been a highlight of the castle's event season. In 2026, the ensemble will perform William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" on Thursday, July 2 — the Scottish tragedy of murder, power, and guilt.

American Drama Group Europe

The American Drama Group Europe, produced by Grantly Marshall, is one of the most renowned English-speaking theatre ensembles on the European continent. For over 40 years, the group has toured castles, palaces, and parks in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and beyond — bringing Shakespeare in the original English language to a German-speaking audience. The productions are professional, linguistically demanding yet accessible — with clear diction, energetic acting, and creative stage design.

"Macbeth" — The Scottish Tragedy

"Macbeth" is one of Shakespeare's darkest tragedies — the story of the Scottish general Macbeth, who, after a witches' prophecy, murders King Duncan to become king himself, and then sinks into a vortex of guilt, madness, and political violence. Classic themes such as ambition, betrayal, the supernatural, and the question of moral guilt are explored in the stormy Scottish setting. In the courtyard of Hohenzollern Castle, the play gains a special resonance — the castle atmosphere enhances the tragic pathos.

Schedule and Tickets

Admission 6:30 PM (VIP 6:00 PM), start 7 PM. Performance duration: two acts of approximately 45 minutes each with a 15-minute intermission — total about 90 minutes plus intermission. Ticket prices: Adults 35 EUR, Students 18 EUR — a very moderate pricing for a high-class theatre experience in such a venue. Tickets via the castle's online ticketing system.

Shuttle and Catering

The ascent to the castle is possible on foot (a steep 2 km climb per person) — alternatively, a shuttle bus runs from parking lot P 1 to the Eagle's Gate (entrance). Round trip 4.50 EUR, one way 3 EUR. Catering before and during the performance in the Castle Biergarten. The program is performed in all weather — please bring rain gear; umbrellas are not allowed in the seating area. Blankets are recommended, as evenings at 855 m altitude can be cool.