In the end of the 19th Century, when the theatre was born, it was established as the Court Theatre. Its royal function was to present the best of what dramatic Europe produced and so the theatre quickly gained the fame and privilege to be the meeting point of great artists of the époque. It was not just a theatre, but a place of debates and disputes, a stage where plays were performed and the fate of art was being decided, it was the altar of Austrian artistic milieu. These traditions have lived for decades until today. The Burgtheater, as it is known today, still remembers the times of grandeur and still is the beating heart of artistic Vienna.

All of the plays staged at the Burgtheater are in English. It has a double function – to promote contemporary German drama and classical as well as to make the German audience better acquainted with European classiscs. Consequently, Burgtheater has been proclaimed one of the most important stages of the whole German speaking world. As to the variety of plays featured, the theatre features an entire spectrum of theatrical art – dramas, comedies, musicals, etc.

The theater’s main hall has a seating capacity of 1175 places. Besides the main hall it has three other places where spectacles are performed – the Vestibule, the Casino and Akademietheater. Each of those has its special atmosphere and vocation. Besides its classical function, Burgtheater is today a place where various readings and discussions are held, where experimental theatre is presented. It cherishes the classic and new inspiration, thus uniting the artistic spirit of Austria.