Volksschauspiele Ötigheim — Theater Summer 2026: My Fair Lady

Germany's Largest Open-Air Stage — Since 1906

The Volksschauspiele Ötigheim are a South German theater institution with over 120 years of history: founded in 1906 by the Ötigheim teacher and theater enthusiast Ferdinand Mössner, the venue has developed into Germany's largest open-air stage. The stage measures approximately 80 meters wide and 100 meters deep, and the auditorium offers around 4,000 seats under the open sky. Six to seven hundred participants on and behind the stage — actors, choir, extras, technicians, costume and set designers — almost all volunteers from Ötigheim and the surrounding area. The Volksschauspiele are a unique example of vibrant amateur high culture in Southern Germany.

Theater Summer 2026: "My Fair Lady"

The main production of the Theater Summer 2026 is the musical classic "My Fair Lady" by Frederick Loewe (music) and Alan Jay Lerner (text/libretto), based on George Bernard Shaw's play "Pygmalion". The story is a classic: Professor Higgins, the linguistics professor, transforms the flower girl Eliza Doolittle into a lady — and in doing so, discovers himself.

Production Team and Lead Roles

The 2026 production is directed by Marc Krone, choreography is by Hakan T. Aslan, and the stage design is by Karel Spanhak. In the lead role of Eliza Doolittle: Lisa Hähnel — a singer and actress who has been established at the Volksschauspiele for years. In addition, the established ensemble of the Volksschauspiele takes on the roles of Professor Higgins, Colonel Pickering, Alfred Doolittle, Mrs. Pearce, and Freddy. The ensemble of singers and the choir provide the musical highlights: "The Rain in Spain", "I Could Have Danced All Night", "Get Me to the Church on Time", "On the Street Where You Live".

Performance Dates 2026

Eleven performances — mostly on weekends — spread throughout the theater summer:

• Saturday, June 6, 2026
• Sunday, June 7, 2026
• Saturday, June 13, 2026
• Sunday, June 14, 2026
• Saturday, June 27, 2026
• Sunday, June 28, 2026
• Sunday, July 12, 2026
• Sunday, July 26, 2026
• Sunday, August 2, 2026
• Friday, August 21, 2026
• Saturday, August 22, 2026

Performances begin either at 2:00 PM (afternoon) or 8:00 PM (evening) — exact times depend on the date and can be found on the website.

Kleine Bühne and Pentecost Special Program

In addition to the open-air stage, the Volksschauspiele operate a Kleine Bühne (Small Stage) for chamber play-style productions — this runs parallel to the open-air stage with its own program. Also: Pentecost weekend, May 24–25, 2026, with an open day, stage tours, children's activities, and a staged reading. These special dates often sell out, so early booking is recommended.

Tickets and Prices

Tickets start at 19 EUR, tiered by seating category up to premium tickets. Advance sales via Reservix online and at the theater box office (Mon/Tue/Thu 10 AM–12 PM, 2 PM–5 PM; Wed/Fri 10 AM–12 PM; phone (07222) 968790). In case of rain, the performance will be played through if possible; in case of extreme weather conditions, the theater management will decide on postponement at short notice. Current weather hotline on the website.

Ötigheim — Small Community, Big Stage

Ötigheim, with around 4,800 inhabitants, is a small community in the Rastatt district in the north of Baden-Württemberg (Middle Baden), located between Rastatt and Karlsruhe on the A 5 highway. That this small community is home to Germany's largest open-air stage is a miracle of lived theatrical passion — and since 1906, an attraction for theater lovers from Baden-Württemberg, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saarland, Alsace, and far beyond.