How an amateur theatre group has shaped Darmstadt's stage culture since 1925
The Hessian Theatre Association 1925 e.V. Darmstadt is one of the most traditional cultural associations in the city of science. In 2025, the association celebrated its 100th anniversary – a century of lived theatre passion, firmly rooted in Darmstadt and closely linked to the city's history.
The Hessian Theatre Company was founded in the autumn of 1925 by Ernst Legal, then director of the State Theatre. The reason was quite specific: Niebergall's farce "Datterich" was to be brought to the stage as an authentic part of urban life – in the Hessian dialect, close to the people, with plenty of humor and a social commentary. This aim continues to shape the company's work to this day.
Since its beginnings, the Hessian Theatre Association has been a regular fixture on the stage of the Darmstadt State Theatre and has steadily expanded its repertoire over the decades. Besides "Datterich," which is still performed regularly today, plays such as "The Glass Cabinet," "He Wants to Have Some Fun," "The Merry Vineyard," "Katharina Knie," "Nothing Will Come of the Boy," and "The Inn in the Spessart" are among the cornerstones of the association's history.
What distinguishes the Hessian Theatre Association is the unique combination of amateur theatre, professionalism, and cultural responsibility. Generations of participants have contributed to ensuring that dialect theatre in Darmstadt has not only been preserved but also vibrantly developed – as part of the city's identity and as a fixture in its cultural life.
To mark its 100th anniversary, the theater association is not only looking back, but also forward. Ralf Hellriegel , second chairman of the Hessian Theater Association, spoke with Alexander Götz for DA.news about the history, present and future of the association, the importance of dialect theater, and the challenges facing a traditional cultural association in the 21st century.
What is the vision of the Hessian Theatre Association – and what does it stand for today?
Our vision is to bring sophisticated dialect plays to the stage with which the people of Darmstadt can identify. This is precisely what the Hessian Theatre Association has stood for since its founding in 1925. We have consistently pursued this idea for decades – and have successfully implemented it to this day.
Which projects or productions have particularly shaped your work?
A prominent role is, of course, played by "Der Datterich ." The theater company was founded exactly 100 years ago to perform this Darmstadt local farce by Ernst Elias Niebergall. Numerous prominent actors have left their mark on this character over the years.
In this anniversary year, our current "Datterich" production, with Grimme Prize winner Hans-Joachim Heist in the title role, once again boasts a top-notch cast. The response has been overwhelming: all performances – both on the terrace and in the main auditorium of the Darmstadt State Theatre – were sold out. This demonstrates the continued high level of public interest in the Hessian Theater Company.
In addition, many other productions have shaped the company's profile, from classics like "Pension Schöller" and " Der fröhliche Weinberg" to " A Midsummer Night's Dream and "Arsenic and Old Lace ." By the way: the anniversary production of "Datterich" can still be seen until the beginning of the summer holidays in 2026.
Who are the driving forces behind the Hessian Theatre Association – and what makes your ensemble special?
As the name suggests, the Hessian Theatre Association is above all else: a community. All members have a say, young and old work closely together and benefit from each other. The greatest asset of our ensemble is the shared passion for theatre – it connects generations and sustains every production.
What challenges does the daily life of a volunteer-run theatre group present?
One of the biggest challenges is scheduling. Getting working people with families, students, and schoolchildren to agree on a rehearsal schedule isn't always easy. However, in close cooperation with the state theatre, we consistently manage to find workable solutions.
How can interested individuals get involved – on or behind the stage?
We are always happy to hear from people interested in working on, in front of, or behind the stage. Contacting us is easy via our website – new members are always welcome.
Which performances shouldn't you miss?
We highly recommend our productions to anyone who enjoys comedic theatre in the Darmstadt dialect. They are the heart of the Hessian Theatre Association.
Why is the partnership with Merck so important to you?
As a Darmstadt-based company, Merck has always been strongly committed to the cultural sector. We are very grateful for their generous support – especially in our anniversary year. This partnership enables projects and frameworks that would otherwise be virtually impossible for a volunteer-run organization.
Mr. Hellriegel, thank you very much for the interview.
![](https://da.news/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Spielgemeinschaft-Datterich-Galavorstellung-2025-0109-300x215.jpg "The image must be captioned "Photo: Arthur Schönbein" before publication.")
Photos: Arthur Schönbein
Liveable Darmstadt
powered by MerckClubs and associations are the heart of a community. They foster social integration and bring people together. They enrich local life through cultural and sporting activities, offer educational opportunities, and are involved in social projects. In short: they make a city like Darmstadt a great place to live.
But this costs money. Membership fees aren't always enough. In this series, we present selected Darmstadt clubs and associations that are supported by Merck – be it in sports, culture, community service, or science education.
Each of these clubs has a unique story and contributes to strengthening the community in its own way. We asked the organizers what makes their club special and how the partnership with Merck not only provides financial support but also fosters growth and development.
Learn more about the diverse club and association scene in Darmstadt and how Merck and its partners are achieving more together – for a region worth living in.
