New theater magic in Cologne: Kay Voges brings a breath of fresh air!

New theater magic in Cologne: Kay Voges brings a breath of fresh air!

Köln, Deutschland - The artistic landscape of the German -speaking theater faces exciting changes. Kay Voges, a renowned director, starts on September 26, 2025 with the premiere of "Imagine" in Cologne. This piece was written by him together with Alexander Kerlin, who will also take over the position of the chief dramaturge in Cologne. Voges follows Stefan Bachmann, who moves from Cologne to Vienna and will lead the Burgtheater there. This represents a significant change in the leadership of the Burgtheater, which is currently facing similar dynamic changes with an ensemble change. The press also reports that 10 actors from Cologne will come to Vienna, including returnees such as Caroline Peters and Max Simonischek.

The Cologne stage is planning a total of 13 premieres under Voges'. In addition to "Imagine", there are projects such as "Dat Wasser Vun Kölle Es Jot", a Rhein-crime thriller from Calle, and the stage adaptation by Rolf Dieter Brinkmann's radio play "The words are evil" on the game plan. The first takeover of the Cologne productions will take place on October 3 with the "rise and case of Mr. René Benko". The new venue, called "Depot 3", is to offer further space for smaller formats and conversations.

ensemble and creative cooperation

The ensemble in Cologne consists of 29 performers, including some renowned names of theaters across Germany, such as the Thalia Theater Hamburg or the Schaubühne Berlin. Voges brings several players from Vienna, including Andreas Beck and Lavinia Nowak. Such changes in theater ensembles are not unusual and reflect processes that are well documented in theater management. The production process in the theater includes the development of concepts up to the presentation. Both artistic and economic aspects play a crucial role here.

In the context of the Burgtheater, the changes are also noticeable. Under the direction of Bachmann, the ensemble is supplemented by the new ones, such as Alexander Angeletta and Paul Basogna, while 14 members leave the ensemble. These structural adjustments are not unusual in theater operation and can give both new creative impulses and bring about challenges.

press conference and outlook

A press conference that was called for the presentation of the new game plan and to discuss the future of the theater takes on this developments. The changes in favor a creative dynamic, which is clearly noticeable in Cologne and Vienna. The artistic work in both cities is shaped by the fragile equilibrium between tradition and innovation, which constantly redefine theater operations.

Overall, it can be seen that the theater landscape in Germany remains alive through these changes and new productions. The coming months will be crucial to observe how the new configurations will affect the quality standards and the audience experience.