In the artist's words:

The Kumede was founded in 1947 by a small group of theater enthusiasts from Cologne, making it the oldest active Cologne theater ensemble. The founding members had a clear goal: to give the people of Cologne a new zest for life after the deprivation of the war years. Despite the modest means of the first productions, the performances were quickly well received. In the following decades, the Kumede established itself as a permanent institution in Cologne's theater landscape alongside the Millowitsch Theater.

In 2015, the Kumede finally moved to the Volksbühne am Rudolfplatz - the legendary former Millowitsch Theater - and found its new home there. In the oldest and probably most beautiful theater in Cologne, the Kumede keeps the Cologne theater tradition alive. After the end of the Millowitsch era, it impressively demonstrates with its successful productions that Cologne dialect theater has lost none of its relevance and magic even today.

Incidentally, the name "Kumede" is Cologne German for "comedy" - and so the focus of the ensemble is on humorous productions, sometimes with a melancholy undertone, sometimes as a rousing musical or as a modern adaptation of classical works. But one thing always remains the same: year after year, Kumede delights its audiences with the aim of taking them away from their everyday lives for a few hours and giving them a carefree time.

The 2021 season will certainly be remembered in particular, when the Kumede was the first Cologne theater ensemble ever to reopen the doors of the Volksbühne after the long corona lockdown and was downright celebrated by its audience and the press. After all, Cologne dialect theater is deeply "relevant to the soul" and the Kumede has become a "cult", as the Cologne tabloid Express put it.

In the last two years, the ensemble has delighted audiences with hits adapted into Cologne dialect by British comedy writer Ray Coony, "Usser Rand un Band" and "Ihrlich wäht am längste". And in 2026, the Kumede will remain true to its tried-and-tested concept: with the fast-paced Cologne comedy "Zoff em Grandhotel - ein Diva kütt selden allein", it once again promises the best entertainment and plenty of Cologne charm.

Let the traditional Cologne ensemble whisk you away from your everyday life and experience the magic of the Cologne language, genuine Cologne characters and a rousing joy of acting live in the city's most beautiful theater

Kölsch, kölscher, Kumede! (Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger)