Theater in Copenhagen

Despite Copenhagen's lively and dynamic performing arts scene, most theaters in the city present plays in Danish only. Those wishing to catch a stage show should track down Copenhagen's venues for dance and live art as well as its few English-language theater groups.

By far the most well-known theaters in Copenhagen are the landmark buildings of the Royal Danish Theatre ( Det Kongelige Teater), dating from 1748, and its contrasting modern counterpart, the waterfront Operaen. While the old theater building on Kongens Nytorv is used these days mainly for ballets, the multi-billion kroner Opera House presents world-class operas from both the Royal Danish Opera and guest performances. As both are state-subsidized, prices for performances are more down-to-earth than you might think.

The smaller and more intimate Cafeteatret, in Copenhagen's Latin Quarter, is the spot for high-brow cabaret acts and occasional English-language theater. Its smaller stage Kafcafeen showcases more experimental acts.

When it comes to experimental, the next three theaters on our list offer plenty of left-field performance. As Northern Europe's largest center for contemporary dance, DANSEhallerne comprises both Dansescenen and the headquarters of Danish Dance Theatre, and is located in an old bottling plant on the Carlsberg brewery site. Republique meanwhile took over Dansescenen's old space in Østerbro to showcase live art and new circus, while inner-city Københavns Musikteater offers a stage for those experimenting within musical theater.

Two of Copenhagen's oldest theaters offer little for the English-speaker, but the grand facades and equally lavish musicals of Folketeatret and Det Ny Teater can be enjoyed irrespective of language. The same can be said of the idyllic open-air setting of Grønnegards Teatret, located in the gardens of Design Museum Danmark and open in the summer months only: The summer ballet program here is well worth checking out.

Det Kongelige Teater

Kongens Nytorv
Kongens Nytorv

The Royal Danish Theatre...
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Operaen

expert pick

Ekvipagemestervej 10

The Copenhagen Opera House...
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Cafeteatret

expert pick

Skindergade 3

Alternative theater...
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DANSEhallerne

Pasteursvej 14-24

Europe's largest center for modern dance...
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Republique

Østerfælled Torv 37

Copenhagen's newest performance space...
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Københavns Musikteater

Kronprinsensgade 7

Small stage for all kinds of experimental musical theater...
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Det Ny Teater

Gammel Kongevej 29

Grand old theater with taste for musicals...
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Folketeatret

Nørregade 39

One of Copenhagen's oldest theaters...
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Grønnegårds Teatret

Bredgade 66

Prettiest theater in town...
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Bremen Live

Nyropsgade 39-41

Copenhagen's newest theater for comedy and music...
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