Die Stachelschweine

Die Stachelschweine: Berlin’s Sharpest Stage Since 1949

Die Stachelschweine is Berlin’s oldest cabaret. The ensemble, led by founder Rolf Ulrich, had its first performance on October 30, 1949, in the jazz cellar “Badewanne” on Nürnberger Straße near Kurfürstendamm. Back then, they performed during music breaks; today, they fill a permanent theater with 300 seats. Since 1965, the venue has been located in the Europa-Center in Charlottenburg, not far from the Memorial Church, and offers the ensemble cabaret biting satire and top-notch entertainment. Erich Kästner’s entry in their guestbook in 1953: “Dear Stachelschweine, never let yourselves be shaved!”, pretty much says it all about the reputation of this establishment.

The cabaret theater gained nationwide fame in the 1960s through numerous tours and television broadcasts. Since then, little has changed in its core principle: politically incisive programs that regularly address current social and political issues.

Current Program: Satire with Anniversary Guarantee

For their milestone birthday, Die Stachelschweine show their sharpest side. For their 75th anniversary, Die Stachelschweine present a program that elegantly combines black humor with Berliner nonchalance. In the anniversary program “I still have a Tesla in Berlin” by Frank Lüdecke and Sören Sieg, a future vision of the year 2029 is told: The new Chancellor comes under pressure, the cheese roll costs 14 Euros, and VW and BMW belong to Tesla. Political cabaret in Berlin that hurts because it’s too close to reality.

The repertoire usually includes four rotating programs, characterized by high topicality, musicality, and acting skill. So, those who come multiple times will experience something different each time. The brand new cabaret program by Die Stachelschweine is subtle, wicked, pointed, fast-paced, and features music. This is what political cabaret in Berlin sounds like when it works.