Kino, Theater, Varieté: Exploring Vienna's 16th District Entertainment History Exhibition

This exhibition explores the vibrant history of cinema, theater, and variety shows in Vienna's 16th district. It highlights significant venues, performances, and the cultural impact of these entertainment forms on the local community and beyond.

The exhibition "Kino, Theater, Varieté" delves into the rich entertainment landscape of Vienna's 16th district, focusing on three distinct yet interconnected forms of performance. It revisits the golden age of cinema, noting that at its peak, the district boasted thirteen cinemas simultaneously. A previous exhibition on cinema from 2015 is referenced, with its materials permanently displayed elsewhere. The exhibition also examines the history of local theaters, including the Thalia-Theater and notable public buildings that housed performance spaces, some of which remain significant public institutions. It highlights smaller, often vanished venues and emphasizes the enduring importance of the Tschauner-Bühne, a summer stage whose tradition of improvisational theater was recognized as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2018. The Brunnenpassage is also noted for its artistically and socially driven productions. Furthermore, the exhibition touches upon the world of variety shows, encompassing theaters, inns with performance spaces, cinemas offering supporting programs, and open-air venues. While most were not exclusively variety stages, the Orpheum, a well-known restaurant with a large garden hall, is mentioned as an exception. The exhibition also acknowledges two establishments, the Varieté Westend and Theater Varieté Colosseum, located just outside the 16th district but on its administrative border, that bore the name 'Varieté'. These early 20th-century wooden structures are recalled through photographs and plans.