Kabarett-Theater DISTEL

Cabaret with History and Attitude: Die DISTEL in Berlin-Mitte

The DISTEL cabaret theater is Germany’s largest ensemble cabaret and was founded in 1953 as an East Berlin counterpoint to the West Berlin cabarets. Since then, the theater has resided in the front building of the Admiralspalast, directly at Friedrichstraße station. This puts DISTEL literally in Berlin’s best location for political cabaret. The venue is located in Berlin’s densest cultural district, just a stone’s throw from the Berliner Ensemble or the Friedrichstadt-Palast, and in close proximity to the government district, which provides daily fresh inspiration.

While DISTEL was never a wallflower during GDR times, it also navigated the upheaval during the change with courage and defiance. Its survival despite multiple threats of closure is no coincidence. The popularity with the audience and the skill of the directors, authors, and ensemble in finding the right compromise repeatedly saved DISTEL from closure.

Current Program: Satire that Hits Home

The cabaret follows the tradition of classical “Nummern-Kabarett” (revue cabaret), which stages fast-paced and entertaining programs with sketches, parodies, monologues, sarcastic songs, and live music. Political cabaret is cultivated in its full breadth at DISTEL. 2025 was the year when many certainties dissolved into thin air. But the DISTEL ensemble achieves the seemingly impossible: Jens Neutag, Axel Pätz, and newcomer Katharina Martin pack all political twists and the madness of everyday life into a fast-paced cabaret program of 2 x 50 minutes.

In addition, DISTEL regularly hosts guest performances. Together with its partner tRÄNENpALAST, the venue presents a varied program of cabaret, comedy, music, and theater, featuring renowned artists as well as new talents. From July 2025, Frank Voigtmann will take over as DISTEL’s Artistic Director, bringing fresh impetus to the capital’s cabaret scene. Satire with substance has had its firm place at DISTEL for decades.