Die Wühlmäuse

"Die Wühlmäuse" (The Voles) cabaret theatre was founded in Berlin by Dieter Hallervorden and actor friends in 1960. After being housed in the former Scala cinema in Schöneberg and rooms in Nürnberger Str. in Wilmersdorf, Die Wühlmäuse moved to its present home on Theodor-Heuss-Platz in time for its 40 year anniversary. The 516-seat space was a cinema for the British armed forces and is in the Westend district of Berlin.

In the 1960s, Die Wühlmäuse quickly gained a reputation for its programme of political satire, establishing a new form of cabaret. The classical cabaret with individual numbers was transformed into a programme with continuous roles and a consistent theme throughout. This allowed political and social matters to be examined and exposed with more precision, to the consequent delight of press and public. In the 70s the stage was adapted for television and Dieter Hallervorden's Nonstop-Nonsense television programme was produced in-house. During this time Die Wühlmäuse changed from having an ensemble to receiving renowned comedians and cabaret stars who find their Berlin home here to this day.

Die Wühlmäuse also presents readings and concerts alongside its cabaret and comedy programme. Florian Schroeder, Dieter Nuhr, Mathias Richling, Simone Solga, Nessi Tausenschön, Martin Buchholz, Ingo Appelt, Bruno Jonas and Rainald Grebe have performed here. Musical entertainment is regularly provided by Romy Haag, Ulla Meinecke and Purple Schulz while readings by Horst Evers, Torsten Sträter, Axel Hacke and others complete the picture. The annual festival of cabaret presented by rbb (Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg: Berlin Brandenburg Broadcasting) has also been televised from here since 2001.