brut’s new Vienna theatre prepares for spring preview

Vienna’s brut co-production theatre is nearing completion in a former bank building, with a soft opening planned for spring, ORF reports. The venue in the city’s Landstraße district was originally due to open in 2024.

The new theatre, at Karl-Farkas-Gasse 16, is expected to begin regular operations in autumn 2027. Until then, brut will stage performances during a transition year at brut understage, a venue in a neighbouring building, and at other locations around the city.

The spring preview will depend on construction progress. The new venue will include a 200-square-metre theatre hall with flexible seating for about 150 people, an 80-square-metre studio stage and a large hospitality area. It will also have a rehearsal stage and staff rooms on the first floor, with offices and technical rooms on the second.

Construction delays were partly caused by heritage-protection requirements. The building, constructed in 1911, has retained its original character, and its wooden bank counters have been restored for use in the former cashier hall. New openings provide access to the secondary stage and bar, and the building has been made accessible.

The projected cost has risen from 6.9 million euros to 15.3 million euros. ORF reported that heritage requirements contributed to the increase, along with problems involving a planned rooftop installation for building services. The additional costs are not being covered by the city’s cultural budget.

Brut begins its final season without a permanent venue on Friday. The opening programme includes the premiere of Mzamo Nondlwana’s performance “Waiting for Fall” at studio brut in Vienna’s Neubau district, a one-to-one performance at brut understage and a season-opening party.