Impressions of the current revue show THE ONE Grand Show at the Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin directly on Friedrichstraße. My experience and recommendation for an evening highlight during the Berlin stay. Also for international guests and Berlin visitors a must-see in Berlin. Hardly any other revue theater is as convincing as the colorful show with costumes by star designer Jean Paul Gaultier.
Friedrichstadt Palace Berlin
Address:
Friedrichstrasse 107
10117 Berlin
Germany
Phone/Reservation:
+49 30 2326 2326
Website: www.palast.berlin
If we look around the lighter theater and musical scene in Germany, there are few must-see shows.
However, the current revue “THE ONE Grand Show” at the Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin gets only the best reviews and praises from the press, celebrities and visitors.
Since I am a big fan of the shows in Las Vegas and in addition big fashion fan, I was absolutely curious whether the show in the Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin can really convince and whether it can be something for the average Berlin visitor as a recommendation.
What do I wear in the Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin?
So I stood in the imposing foyer of the Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin and watched the people who wanted to make a special evening in Berlin. From young couples to older girlfriends, there was really every combination to be found. Anyone with a smartphone was caught taking a souvenir photo of the foyer or themselves.
People keep asking me what to wear to Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin. There is no dress code, but I personally think it is always nice to celebrate a special evening with a special look. When I look at the other visitors, I see a lot of blouses, lace tops or dresses among the women.
Most of the gentlemen showed up in suits, shirts or sweaters. Of course, there were several dressing rooms in the foyer (even without long waiting times at the end) and even many seats. So if you come early, you don’t have to stand long and you can have a drink at the bar in peace if you want.
My outfit this time was a leather dress with lace and black tights, and pumps. On my last visit to the Friedrichstadt-Palast, I wore a white blouse and a purple skirt – however, it was not as cold then as it is currently in winter. This time I wanted to wear something leather to think of the designer who worked on this show with his costumes.
I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve been to the famous revue. The last show I attended was called “SHOW ME” (costumes by Christian Lacroix). “THE WYLD” (costumes by Manfred Thierry Mugler) I unfortunately missed, although the show also got terrific reviews.
Best seats at Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin
1899 seats in the Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin with an average occupancy of about 95% and still no feeling of crowding. What I noticed particularly positive? The seats were really comfortable and the air was consistently good the whole time. Not too warm, not too cold and above all not stuffy.
I almost think there is no bad seat in the Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin. I sat quite high up in the middle and had everything perfectly in view. But also more laterally or deeper the view will not have been worse. Of course, the front row always has a great and close relationship to the artists.
For those who like to sit in real armchairs there is the Sky Lounge with beverage service. Two armchairs each sit in front of a continuous glass pane slightly above the audience. Here, of course, you have the greatest possible privacy for very special occasions.
Taking pictures in the Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin
The show begins and so now there was the notice that you are not allowed to film or take pictures during the show. As beautiful as the stage sets at Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin are, it makes sense to just enjoy them and not want to capture them.
Only at the final applause is it again allowed to take photos and videos for private use. I find the photo ban very pleasant and I was surprised how many really complied.
THE ONE Grand Show – Revue Theater Berlin
The show started and already you were captivated. Absolutely stunning sets and costumes that never let the visitor think of anything else at any moment. My older seat neighbor could not get out of her amazement “Fantastic” and “Crazy” was heard again and again. And that’s exactly what happened to the whole theater during this show. I would like to tell you more about the content and the story.
There is actually no story in a revue theater, at least there doesn’t have to be a red thread. This time everything was under the motto “To find the one / The one” which brought the two main singers again and again into play. Brigitte Oelke (known from: many musicals, such as “We will rock you”) and Roman Lob (known from: Our Star for Baku – Eurovision Song Contest – 8th place for Germany) sang beautiful songs in German and English.
The songs made you think and the matching stage sets were perfectly staged. I still wonder how it is possible to sing while running on a treadmill without hearing a gasp – respect! Besides the singers, the ballet dancers and artists were in focus. All movements and performances perfectly coordinated with each other and with the stage set.
It is always amazing how you can do tricks in the air with only a trapeze swing, for example. The Bazaliy Sisters twins (Taisiya & Ruslana Bazaliy) were born in Ukraine and went through the hard school of “Cirque du Soleil”, which you can see in both of them. These are the moments you remember longer.
Equally memorable was the scarf acrobatics of Canadian Valérie Inertie. Equally amazing was her performance in the Cyr ring. She was fortunate to learn on this “human-sized” round iron ring, or mono wheel, directly from its namesake, Daniel Cyr. When I saw the exercise with the hoop I remembered the rehearsals in the backstage area, which I was allowed to visit in advance. There, by chance, I had seen Valérie rehearsing with the hoop shortly before. For me therefore particularly impressing and an unbelievable body control, which makes the attendance of the show already absolutely worthwhile
Likewise, I had to smile when a silver strap came loose on an outfit during a revue scene with poles. I immediately thought to myself – the outfit will probably end up in the tailor shop tomorrow. If you are also interested in the tailor shop and the backstage area of the Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin, feel free to check out my backstage report or watch my matching video. I tried to capture as much for you as I could.
THE ONE Grand Show – Costumes by designer Jean Paul Gaultier
But let’s stay with the tailoring and the grandiose costumes, which were created in collaboration with and according to the visions of the famous designer Jean Paul Gaultier. In the revue you can find many fashion styles and stars that represent the fashion of Gaultier. Already in the first scene, the opening, you almost do not know where to look first. There is so much to discover and that is certainly one of the reasons why you can or should watch the show several times.
For example, you find Madonna’s famous costume with her lacy bra, or cone body. One discovers a Kim Kardashian copy with disproportionate butt, who of course took selfies, as well as a copy of Conchita Wurst. Gaultier, for whom it has always been a dream to create a revue one day, has managed to incorporate his own milestones into the show.
You can find a group in navy stripes, lots of vinyl and leather, some fishnet tights and stockings, a group of jeans and tattoo wearers in punk style, and quite a few other styles and elements. Even the Berlin Wall is reflected in graffiti suits. There really is something for everyone. A great visualization of the art of the living legend from France.
Everything fit together just perfectly and the 2,200 square meter stage amazed with the many different uses. For example, the stage divided into 11 different floes that moved. I don’t want to give away all the elements of the show so you will be surprised as well, but the size and possibilities of the stage are fascinating.
But of course, this show again features the impressive line-up of ladies all lifting their leg at the same time. The “girl row” is quasi the trademark in the Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin and in this show the girl row is also perfectly done. You can’t get enough of the 32 ladies and the 64 legs.
Conclusion – Visit to the Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin as a recommendation
If I can give a Berlin or even Berlin tourists a recommendation for a great evening, then a visit to the Friedrichstadt-Palast is simply one of them. Just as you visit a show in the evening in Las Vegas, you should also plan it as a highlight in your stay in Berlin. A perfect finale for Berlin guests.
The show is always very well booked and that also far in advance, so better plan in time. At the box office, however, you can sometimes still have spontaneous luck. Ticket prices start at EUR 19.80 and go up to EUR 278.79 for the luxury Sky Lounge seats. Tickets during the week are always a bit cheaper than on weekends.
I enjoyed the 2.5 hour show (including a 25 minute intermission) at Friedrichstadt-Palast Berlin and can only recommend it. There is so much happening that you don’t get bored in any second. For me definitely an additional recommendation in my top 10 sightseeing tips for Berlin.
Even if you don’t understand German, the show is something you can watch as a Berlin visitor without regretting it later. The current revue THE ONE Grand Show is scheduled to run until mid-July 2018, so maybe I’ll manage a second visit to the show as well…
