The Berlin Crime Theatre in Friedrichshain is Berlin's only stage entirely dedicated to crime and thriller genres. Since 2000, it has been performing in the historic Umspannwerk Ost, where Agatha Christie appears alongside Sebastian Fitzek. Black humor and true theatrical art come together here.
The Berlin Crime Theatre: Murder at the Substation
In April 2025, the Berlin Crime Theatre celebrated its 25th anniversary, a quarter-century full of murder, intrigue, and outstanding theatrical art. The playhouse was founded in 2000 by director Wolfgang Rumpf and dramaturg Wolfgang Seppelt and is not a crime dinner, but classical theatre specializing in the crime and thriller genres. Since 2003, it has been located in the historic Umspannwerk Ost in Friedrichshain. The Umspannwerk Ost is situated on Palisadenstraße 48, a small parallel street to Karl-Marx-Allee, just three stations from Alexanderplatz.
The building’s restoration respects its history: wide machine halls with steel girders, six-meter-high steel and glass doors, and clinker brick walls still convey its former industrial character. The affiliated restaurant Umspannwerk.Ost is a partner of the theatre and extends over two floors with a large gallery and open kitchen, allowing the theatre evening to begin or end with a good meal.
High-Level Suspense: The Repertoire
The Berlin Crime Theatre currently has 16 plays in its repertoire. “The Mousetrap” by Agatha Christie is a true long-runner with over 1,400 performances. However, the ensemble’s range extends beyond classic crime stories: stage adaptations of works by Sebastian Fitzek and Ferdinand von Schirach or the crime comedy “The Cleaner” attract a completely different crime audience. With over 60 productions and approximately 60 to 70 guest performances per year throughout the German-speaking world, from Sylt to Vienna, the ensemble demonstrates the genre’s appeal.
At a time when cultural institutions often have to fight for their existence, the Berlin Crime Theatre relies on substance rather than subsidies and has secured its place in the cultural landscape with quality and passion. Remarkably, the average age of the audience is 47, showing that good crime theatre works across generations. So, if you’re looking for a theatre evening where you truly wonder who the culprit was, this is the right place.
Top10 Redaktion
Erfahrungsbericht vom 15.07.2026
Price Level
Tickets depending on the performance from 26.00 Euros, premium seating categories up to approximately 37.00 Euros.
Public Transport
U5 Weberwiese a few minutes' walk away; U5 Strausberger Platz also nearby.
Parking
Street parking in the residential area, usually good in the evenings.
Highlight
Germany's first pure crime theatre in the historic Umspannwerk Ost - live crime stories and thrillers on stage.
Opening Hours
- Dates: depending on the event
