The theater is situated in a building that was formerly a historic horse stable.
It is one of the few professional venues in Germany dedicated specifically to puppet theater for an adult audience.
The theater's interior features original wooden beams preserved from its previous industrial function.
It maintains a close collaboration with the Russian theater tradition, reflecting the background of its founders.
The venue has served as a filming location for various local and national television productions.
Despite its small size, it produces highly intricate, large-scale puppet works that require specialized technical rigging.
Theater Laboratorium is a renowned independent performing arts venue in Oldenburg, established in 1993 by Vadim Glowna and Julia Goehrmann. The venue is housed in a repurposed, architecturally distinct building that maintains an intimate, cellar-like aesthetic. It specializes in puppet theater for adults, physical theater, and experimental performances. The stage space is compact, fostering a close connection between the performers and the audience. The theater operates as a private initiative, focusing on high-quality artistic craftsmanship rather than mainstream commercial productions. It serves as a central hub for the local independent theater scene in Lower Saxony. The venue regularly hosts guest performers alongside their resident ensemble. Its programming is characterized by a balance of literary adaptations and abstract movement-based art.
The rustic, dimly lit entrance area and the uniquely textured brickwork exterior.
Book tickets in advance via their website, as the intimate space often sells out quickly.
Arrive early to enjoy the unique foyer atmosphere before the house opens.
Consider that performances are primarily in German, though physical theater shows are often accessible to non-German speakers.
Do not attempt to arrive without a pre-booked ticket, as walk-in availability is extremely limited.
Closed during the summer theater holidays; performance schedule varies seasonally.
