Mannheim's newest district is being built on Franklin, and the National Theatre will also become part of it for the duration of the general renovation of the playhouse on Goetheplatz.

Until 2011, the Benjamin Franklin Village was one of the largest US Army bases in Germany. Around 10,000 American soldiers lived and worked here and developed an entire urban infrastructure on this site from the post-war period onwards.

Films were shown in the old Franklin cinema until the US troops left. After a year and a half of renovation, the building has served as a venue for drama and dance since the beginning of 2023. Here you can experience new premieres and world premieres, diverse repertoire performances and special events as well as interactive encounter formats in a modern venue.

With its special charm between modern theater and historic film palace, the Altes Kino Franklin is a place that can be discovered and experienced again and again. In the theater café, you can expect not only fresh drinks and snacks, but also introductions and follow-up discussions that provide you with interesting background information on the productions and exciting insights into the work at the theater.

Even though we have now opened the new theater together with you, we will be rounding off the design of the Altes Kino Franklin over the course of the year. With the sunny terrace of the theater café, the outdoor area of the theater will also become a neighborhood meeting place in the new Franklin district.

The theater café, the foyer and the checkroom were designed by the artist collective Situation Room (Sven Bergelt, Kai-Hendrik Windeler).

HERE you can find all events of the Nationaltheater Mannheim.