The history of theatre in Klaipėda began as early as in the 18th century, when the Comedy House (Lith. „Komedijų namai“) building appeared next to the Danė River. Previously used for military purposes, it stood on state-owned land, for which the city paid taxes, which indicates that the building was owned by the magistrate. Performances began to be staged there in 1777, and, a little later, even a troupe from Berlin appeared on stage.
At that time, the Danė estuary swamps stretched on the site of the current Theatre Square. Nearby stood the warehouse of the rifle battalion, which later became the theatre house, as the merchant Vachsen, having erected a new building for the soldiers, adapted the old one for the stage. After his death, the theatre was turned into a residential building.
Professional Lithuanian theatre established itself in Klaipėda in 1935, when Šiauliai Theatre was relocated here during the interwar period. The first group of Lithuanian actors was led by Juozas Stanulis, and ‘The Good Hope’ drama of H. Heijermans staged by director R. Juknevičius opened the way to a new qualitative level, where the Klaipėda Theatre was considered to be one of the most modern in Lithuania.
The theatre of the port city is considered to be one of the strongest in the country to his day – the city boasts a lively stage, theatrical traditions and creative spirit.
Address: Teatro Str. 2