Ohnsorg Theater, Hamburg

The Ohnsorg Theater in Hamburg is a stage where comedy is performed in Platt; it plays a major role in spreading the knowledge of this language. The theatre was founded by Dr. Richard Ohnsorg in 1902 as Dramatische Gesellschaft Hamburg, with the stated purpose of providing a stage on which plays in Platt could be performed. This was often not possible in other theatres, since Platt was generally considered to be a sign of low social rank and rather boorish. Plays, whether written in Platt, or translated from German and other languages, were performed in cramped conditions in various locations. After the war in 1946, the theatre was renamed the Richard Ohnsorg-Theater, and since 1954, its plays are broadcast by the NDR. Its productions made the cast hugely popular, especially the main star Heidi Kabel, primarily during the 60's and 70's .