The entrance becomes the stage

The high art of entertainment goes hand in hand with high culture in Hamburg. At the Stage Theater in the harbour on the Elbe, visitors can expect more than just a sensational musical. In the outdoor area and in the foyer, sculptures and paintings by renowned artists provide a well-rounded cultural experience.

The location of the musical theatre, which is operated by Stage Entertainment, could hardly be more prominent. On the Elbe island of Steinwerder, right opposite the Landungsbrücken, it is located directly on the water – clearly visible to every visitor to the harbour and with a magnificent view of the Hamburg skyline. The journey by ferry offers a special experience right from the start.

The Stage Theater im Hafen welcomes visitors with two colourful sculptures by the French artist Niki de Saint Phalle. When the building was erected as a tent structure in 1994, the musical wave was just beginning. The musical “Buddy” was shown at that time. In 2001, the musical tent was extended by a stage tower and completely rebuilt – tailored to the new production of “Disney’s The Lion King”. In addition, the building was
with a glazed entrance area with foyer and skyline restaurant. The two-storey restaurant floats on supports above the foyer. The 7 x 50 metre glass front offers guests a spectacular view over the Elbe to the city centre.

16,000 visitors per week

Eight times a week, about 2,000 visitors pass through the doors of the building in eager anticipation. The entrance area is kept very simple – black for the floor and white for the walls, columns and ceilings. This makes it all the better for visitors to concentrate on the contemporary artworks on display in the foyer and restaurant.

Everything is also taken care of in terms of safety and cleanliness. Entrance mats of the emcoDIPLOMAT type safely wipe off dirt and moisture from shoes, even at high frequencies. For a consistent design of the entrance area, the mats were finished in anthracite with black anodised aluminium profiles.

“Our guests should feel comfortable and welcome in our theatres from the very first moment. That’s why we also attach great importance to the furnishing of our foyers.”

Uschi Neuss,
Managing Director Stage Entertainment