The neo-classicist, magnificent building houses the "Great Hall" of the Schwerin Mecklenburgian State Theatre, seating 600. The second theatre building, a former power station, seating 99, is situated on the northern bank of Lake Pfaffenteich.
The Schwerin theatre looks back on a splendid and varied history. Since it was founded, the Mecklenburg State Orchestra, the third-oldest orchestra in Germany, has been the solid musical basis of the house. At the beginning of the century, true friends of Wagnerian music made pilgrimages to Schwerin by special trains, to experience first-class performances of the Wagnerian music dramas in the "Bayreuth of the North". In the 70s and 80s, productions of plays by Christoph Schroth – first of all the legendary "Faust" with Lore Tappe as "Mephisto" – caused a sensation both in East and West Germany.
Today, the theatre with its three sections is run by director Joachim Kümmritz. Apart from these sections, performances by the ballet, a puppet theatre and the Lower German language Fritz-Reuter-Stage can be enjoyed. For seven years in a row, castle plays are being successfully staged here.