Friedrichstadt Palace

On the far side of the 82.5 m/270ft-long Weidendammer Bridge (built 1895-96; beautiful wrought-iron railings) over the River Spree there stands on the right the new Friedrichstadt Palace, opened in 1984, a variety and revue theater of international standing with all the refinements of modern stage technology. In front of it stands a memorial to the light-entertainer Claire Waldoff (1884-1957). The "Great Revue", as it is known, has 1,900 seats. There is also the "Little Stage" nightclub, a "Little Theater," the "Egg" and a children's revue theater. To its north stands the old Friedrich Palace, built in 1869 as Berlin's first market hall, which was a circus from 1874 and then converted in 1919 to the "Great Playhouse" (its heyday being under Max Reinhardt). Am Zirkus -- the street leading off Schiffbauerdamm on which lies the building of the Berlin Ensemble -- is reminiscent of the old Friedrichstadt Palace.