Savoy Theater & Atelier Kino

Savoy Theater & Atelier Kino is a cinema and small-stage theater located in the Haus der Handelskammer at Graf-Adolf-Straße 47 in Düsseldorf, Germany. The venue opened on 18 April 1958 as the Savoy, a large single-screen cinema built to the designs of Düsseldorf architect Hans Nehaus and operated by the film theater company of Willi Goldermann. Its inaugural film was Die Zehn Gebote (The Ten Commandments). A smaller second screen, the Atelier Theater, opened in the basement on 6 May 1958 with a Bolshoi Ballet premiere. This dual-cinema concept was an early response to changing audience numbers and is considered a step toward the multiplex and "shoebox" cinemas that became common in the 1980s. The Savoy was used as a first-run house for mainstream films, equipped with a 165 m² widescreen and a Philips DP70 70 mm projector supporting Todd-AO and CinemaScope formats. The smaller Atelier was conceived as a film art house. Over the decades the building was repeatedly reconfigured: in 1969 the Savoy parquet was reduced to install the 207-seat Apollo 69, which opened on 2 October 1969 with Karel Reisz's Isadora. On 29 September 1972 the 50-seat Die Lupe opened with a rear-projection matte screen; smoking was permitted and drinks were served. In 1978 another small cinema was added, with Die Lupe renamed Linse 1 and the new 55-seat house named Linse 2. After further renovation in 1989/90 the cinema center passed to UFA-Theater AG. Facing competition from three newly opened multiplexes, including the UFA-Palast at the main station, the Savoy Theater closed on 26 April 2000. On 27 September 2000 Stefan Jürging reopened the Savoy-Theater as a small-stage variety and live performance venue (Kleinkunstbühne). Since 13 September 2006 the Atelier has been operated as a film art house by Düsseldorfer Filmkunstkino GmbH. The venue thus combines a live-performance theater in the former main auditorium with an art-house cinema in the basement Atelier, continuing a dual identity that dates back to its 1958 origins. The official website, savoy-theater.de, presents current programming under the Savoy Theater name.

The Savoy Theater was built in the Haus der Handelskammer at Graf-Adolf-Straße 47 in Düsseldorf according to plans by Düsseldorf architect Hans Nehaus. It opened on 18 April 1958 as the Savoy, operated by the film theater company of Willi Goldermann, with a screening of Die Zehn Gebote (The Ten Commandments). On 6 May 1958 the smaller Atelier Theater opened in the basement with a Bolshoi Ballet premiere. The dual-cinema concept was a direct response to changing audience numbers: by creating an additional venue, the operator could broaden the film offering. This is regarded as an early step toward cinema centers and the "shoebox" cinemas of the 1980s. The Savoy was used as a first-run theater for mainstream films, featuring a 165 m² widescreen and a Philips DP70 70 mm projector with Todd-AO and CinemaScope capability. The smaller Atelier was designed as a film art house. In 1969 the Savoy parquet seating area was reduced to install the Apollo 69 with 207 seats; it opened on 2 October 1969 with Karel Reisz's Isadora. On 29 September 1972 the 50-seat Die Lupe opened, using a matte screen served by rear projection; smoking was allowed and drinks were served. In 1978 another small cinema was added: Die Lupe was renamed Linse 1 and the new 55-seat theater became Linse 2. After a further renovation in 1989/90, the cinema center passed to UFA-Theater AG. Due to the opening of three multiplex cinemas, including the UFA-Palast at the main train station, the Savoy Theater closed on 26 April 2000. On 27 September 2000 Stefan Jürging reopened the Savoy-Theater as a small-stage variety venue (Kleinkunstbühne). Since 13 September 2006 the Atelier has been operated as a film art house by Düsseldorfer Filmkunstkino GmbH. The venue continues to operate under the Savoy Theater name, with its official website at savoy-theater.de.

• 2006

  Since 13 September the Atelier is operated as a film art house by Düsseldorfer Filmkunstkino GmbH.

• 2000

  Savoy Theater closes on 26 April due to multiplex competition.

• 2000

  Stefan Jürging reopens the Savoy-Theater as a small-stage venue on 27 September.

• 1989

  Further renovation (1989/90); the cinema center passes to UFA-Theater AG.

• 1978

  Another small cinema is added; Die Lupe becomes Linse 1 and the new 55-seat house becomes Linse 2.

• 1972

  Die Lupe (50 seats) opens on 29 September with rear projection and a matte screen.

• 1969

  Apollo 69 (207 seats) opens on 2 October after reduction of the Savoy parquet.

• 1958

  Savoy opens on 18 April with Die Zehn Gebote, operated by Willi Goldermann; designed by Hans Nehaus.

• 1958

  Atelier Theater opens in the basement on 6 May with a Bolshoi Ballet premiere.

A historic dual-identity venue combining a small-stage live theater with an art-house cinema in central Düsseldorf.

• Savoy Theater (main auditorium)

  Originally a large single-screen cinema with 165 m² widescreen and Philips DP70 70 mm projector; since 2000 a small-stage live venue.

• Atelier Kino

  Basement art-house cinema opened in 1958; operated by Düsseldorfer Filmkunstkino GmbH since 2006.

• Apollo 69

  207-seat cinema installed in 1969 after reduction of the Savoy parquet; opened 2 October 1969.

• Die Lupe / Linse 1

  50-seat cinema opened 29 September 1972 with rear projection; renamed Linse 1 in 1978.

• Linse 2

  55-seat cinema added in 1978.

1. 1Savoy Theater official websitesavoy-theater.de
2. 2Wikidata: Savoy Theater & Atelier Kinowikidata.org
3. 3Wikipedia (German): Savoy Theater (Düsseldorf)de.wikipedia.org