Felsenbühne Rathen, Open-air theatre in Saxon Switzerland National Park, Germany
Felsenbühne Rathen is an open-air theatre nestled between steep rock walls in a natural valley. The stage uses the surrounding rock landscape as part of its backdrop, allowing performances to be directly immersed in nature.
The theatre was founded in 1936 by the municipality of Rathen and grew rapidly after World War II. The first performance after the war took place in 1946, marking the start of a long tradition of summer productions.
The theatre presents performances that draw audiences into the stories of Karl May and classical tales. The connection between these productions and the wild rock landscape creates an experience unlike any found in a conventional theater.
The path to the theatre climbs about one kilometer uphill from the ferry landing through forest trails. Comfortable walking shoes and a reasonable level of fitness are helpful for the journey.
The natural acoustics of the rock formations naturally amplify the actors' voices without requiring sound systems. This physical property of the surroundings makes each performance feel like a dialogue between human and landscape.
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