Bremer Gesellschaftstheater

The Gesellschaftstheater (theatre society) in Bremen was founded by Adolph Freiherr Knigge in 1790 and remained active until 1792. Shortly after it's closing the first institutional and professional theater was established in the city - the so-called Bremer Schauspielhaus.

History

In 1790 Adolph Freiherr Knigge, a prominent enlightened thinker and writer, was called by the Hanoverian government into the position to a local governor (Oberhauptmann) in the city of Bremen. Shortly after his arrival a group of young citizens (particularly the members of the von Vrientz family) approached him to ask for permission to establish a theatre society and to perform in the venue of the Domschule ("cathedral school"). Knigge not only agreed to the undertaking but also became a leading figure in the theatre activities. At the time of the theatre society, no other theatrical pleasures were offered, because the city council did not give license to any of the ambulant troupes that intended to establish themselves in the region. So the amateur theatricals compensated for the lack of theatrical culture in Bremen and vanished at the moment when professional theatre activities took over.

The theatre society invested in professional scenography and costumes and employed members of house hold staff to act as theatre technicians during performances. With the income of the theatre sales they covered the production cost and donated the resulting profit to social work and charitable societies.

Repertoire

The theatre society was opened with a performance of August von Kotzebue's "Indians in England" (15 January 1791). Yet, unlike other amateur theatres of the time, Kotzebue's plays were less performed in the future because of personal hostilities between Knigge and the dramatic author. All in all, the repertoire was shaped by light comedy (e.g. Goldoni) and bourgeois drama with an emphasis on family morals (e.g. Jünger, Weiße, Hiller, Iffland) but they also tried themselves on Lessing's "Emilia Galotti". Between 15 January 1791 and 29 March 1792 they staged 30 plays and performed 58 times, usually on a Monday.