Det Ny Teater

A Belle Époque landmark in Copenhagen’s theatre belt

Det Ny Teater rises like a gilded wedding cake between Gammel Kongevej and Vesterbrogade, its French-inspired baroque frontage crowned with sculpted figures and decorative stonework. Completed in 1908 as part of a larger passage complex, the building physically links two busy streets and symbolically bridges the city districts of Vesterbro and Frederiksberg. Inside, sweeping staircases, marble details and warm lighting create a sense of arrival that feels more like an opera house than a neighbourhood theatre. The façade is mirrored on both sides of the passage, so whether you enter from Vesterbro or Frederiksberg you step straight into the same grand theatrical world. Look up to catch ornamental ceilings and period fixtures that survived both decades of busy repertoire and a long closure in the late 20th century. The theatre’s setting in Copenhagen’s historic entertainment quarter means cafés, bars and city life buzz right outside its doors, but once you cross the threshold the atmosphere shifts to plush, old-world glamour.

From early drama house to musical powerhouse

The story of Det Ny Teater begins in the early 1900s, when a development company bought a worn-down apartment block here and envisioned a new cultural anchor with theatre, shops and restaurants. After a famously troubled construction process and a change of architect midway, the theatre opened in September 1908 as Denmark’s second-largest stage, with a rotating platform that was then a technological novelty. Its early years saw lavish plays and star actors, quickly establishing it as a serious rival to the Royal Danish Theatre. Over the decades the repertoire shifted with changing directors, from classical drama to contemporary European works and eventually towards musical theatre. Financial ups and downs, and a worn building, forced a closure in 1990, but a major restoration and modernisation followed. When the doors reopened in 1994, Det Ny Teater emerged as a privately run musical theatre, geared towards large-scale productions like Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music, Chess and Anastasia. Today it remains a flagship for big-budget musicals in Denmark, while still honouring its dramatic roots on smaller stages within the complex.

Inside the auditorium: gold leaf, red velvet and clever stagecraft

Step into the main auditorium and you are wrapped in a cocoon of red upholstery, gilded ornamentation and tiered balconies. The horseshoe-shaped room holds around a thousand seats spread across stalls and multiple balconies, with private boxes punctuating the side walls. Crystal chandeliers drip from the ceiling, and painted decorative panels add to the sense of early 20th-century opulence. Despite its size, the room feels surprisingly intimate when the lights dim and the orchestra strikes up. Behind the decorative plasterwork lies thoroughly updated stage machinery. The original revolving stage has been enhanced with modern rigging, lifts, lighting grids and sound systems that allow for quick scene changes and cinematic effects. This technical backbone is what makes it possible to host demanding productions with large casts, complex choreography and elaborate sets. Smaller performance spaces such as the more intimate Sceneriet and the Balletsalen upstairs allow the theatre to present chamber productions, concerts or seasonal shows in a very different, close-up atmosphere.

Dining, intervals and the social side of a night at the theatre

A visit to Det Ny Teater is as much about the overall evening as the performance itself. The foyer bars serve interval drinks and snacks, and the buzz between acts spills out across landings and staircase landings filled with people comparing notes. In the vaulted basement, Teaterkælderen offers a themed restaurant experience where meals are often linked to current productions, sometimes with theatrical décor or nods to costumes and characters. It is a popular spot for pre-show dinners and post-show drinks. The passage threading beneath the theatre connects you directly to shops and eateries on both sides, making it easy to combine a performance with a wider evening out in the city. Cloakrooms handle coats and umbrellas in colder months, while attentive ushers help guide visitors through the maze of staircases, levels and doors. The overall mood is festive yet relaxed, with people dressed for an occasion but rarely formal.

Planning your visit and making the most of the setting

Det Ny Teater operates a varied programme through most of the year, typically running one major musical for an extended period alongside selected special events. Performances are usually in Danish, often with translated librettos for international shows, and some productions incorporate surtitles for non-Danish speakers. Evening shows dominate the schedule, with selected matinees on weekends and holidays. The theatre’s central location means it fits nicely into a day exploring Vesterbro’s cafés, Frederiksberg’s leafy streets or the shopping stretch along Gammel Kongevej. Expect traditional theatre seating with limited legroom in some areas, a quirk of the historic layout. Those who prefer more space can look to aisle seats or balcony front rows when booking. Arriving a little early lets you linger over the architectural details, soak up the pre-show ambience in the foyers and find your way without rush through one of Copenhagen’s most atmospheric cultural buildings.