Zurich City Theatre, A Sanctuary And Sign Of Resistance, Turns 100

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) During the Second World War, the Schauspielhaus Zürich, Switzerland's largest theatre, becomes one of the most important places of refuge for persecuted artists from German-speaking countries. Ferdinand Rieser, a Zurich wine merchant, laid the foundation for this. This content was published on June 9, 2026 - 09:00 5 minutes Vera Deragisch, SRF, swissinfo

Deutsch de Die ((Pfauenbühne)) wird 100: Ein Zürcher Theater im Zeichen des Widerstands Original Read more: Die ((Pfauenbühne)) wird 100: Ein Zürcher Theater im Zeichen des Widers

Rieser had a great passion for theatre, but little experience. Nevertheless, in 1926 he took over the theatre and renovated it. He enlarged the auditorium and created the stage in its current form – a so-called peep-box stage.

It was thanks to the Jewish businessman that the Schauspielhaus Zürich became the most important theatre for emigrants in the German-speaking world during the Second World War.

From variety theatre to 'island fortress'

However, the origins of the theatre go back further. Initially, they had little to do with sophisticated theatre. Around the turn of the century, the“Volkstheater zum Pfauen” was a kind of variety theatre with a beer garden and bowling alley. The early years were characterised by financial difficulties and frequent changes of ownership.

In the years that followed, the theatre served as a side stage of the municipal theatre, today's opera house, but this concept was also unsuccessful. Zurich was not yet a theatre metropolis.

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