About
Bådteatret, which translates as "The Boat Theatre", is a theatre in Copenhagen that works in an unusual setting. It is housed on an old barge, known in Danish as a lægter, moored in the harbour at Nyhavn, the canal-side quarter in the centre of the city. The address is Nyhavn 16Z, in the 1051 postal district.
The setting
Most theatres in Copenhagen sit inside purpose-built buildings. Here the stage floats on the water, so the experience of arriving is part of the visit: you walk along the harbour edge, cross to the vessel and take your seat in a room that moves with the water around it. The audience is small, which suits the intimate scale of the productions.
What is performed
The programme combines the theatre's own productions with work by guest companies. Its own productions focus on puppet and animation theatre aimed at adults, and they draw on classical or philosophical texts. Audiences who expect puppetry as children's entertainment should note that these pieces are made for grown-up viewers.
Because the programme mixes in-house work with visiting performers, the evening you choose may differ from the one before it. The theatre's own website lists what is on, and is the place to check the current schedule and the times of performances.
Is it worth the trip?
Bådteatret suits visitors who want a small, focused evening of theatre rather than a large venue, and who are interested in puppetry, animation or philosophical material. It is also a good choice for anyone curious about performing in an unusual place. If you prefer large-scale productions or family shows, another venue may be a better fit. The theatre's location in Nyhavn means it is easy to combine with a walk through the harbour and the surrounding streets before or after the performance.
