Puppentheater Firlefanz

Time seems to have come to a standstill at Sophienstraße 10 in Mitte, where parents and children have been entertained for over thirty years in this tiny neighbourhood theatre that only holds 30-40 people.

Mr Firlefanz and his puppets

Harald Preuss founded the intimate Puppentheater Firlefanz for parents and children ages 3 and 4 in 1982. Preuss had trained at East Berlin's acting school and came to be known as Mr Firlefanz by his audience during his previous twelve years' performing at Puppentheater Berlin and also in Dresden. He still offers special puppet theatre experiences with his adaptations of fairy tales and other stories with well-known characters.

Once upon a time...

Afternoons, the little ones are treated to the likes of Cinderella(a fairy tale for children 4+), The Frog King (a love story for 5+), Puss in Boots (an adventure for 4+), and The Brave Little Tailor (with lots of action for 4+).

For adults and older children 6+, The Magic Flute, based on the opera by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is offered.

The puppets, sets, and marionettes have been lovingly hand-crafted for each piece by Barbara and Günter Weinhold in their small workshop in the Berlin district of Köpenick.

Puppet theatre for everyone

Harald Preuss also regularly does performances families, school groups, companies, and other private events upon request. But his entertaining tales have not been kept an exclusive Berlin secrete: Preuss has taken his mobile puppet theatre on the road for guest performances in Hungary, Italy, Austria, and Russia. Back in Berlin, Puppentheater Firlefanz also welcomes a guest performance once a month. So, for example, Peter and the Wolf , a musical fairy tale by Sergei Prokofiev, played here in May 2016. Most pieces last 50 minutes. The schedules can be found in the local press and in events guides.