Twelve years after its opening, the theater burned out completely in 1884. Two years later, Anton Ronacher bought the ruin and turned it into a variety theater with service and a hotel. In 1888, the establishment Ronacher opened its doors.
There was no stage machinery, and the stalls and the loges were equipped with tables so the audience could dine and smoke during the performance. For the first time, electrical lights were used, and there were promenades, a huge ballroom and a 'winter garden'. Only two years later, economic hardships forced Ronacher to step down from his office as director of the 'concert and ball house'.
After the war, the Ronacher replaced the Burgtheater for ten years. From 1955 to 1960, it was visited by variety artists once more. However, later, the theater was closed and used as a studio and stage room for TV productions by the ORF instead. In 1976, the ORF left the building, and for the next ten years, the Ronacher Theater was vacant and not used at all.
The United Stages Vienna took it over in 1987 and revived it. From 1988 to 1990, they played the musical CATS that had been taken over from the THEATER AN DER WIEN as well as two opera performances.
In 1993, the Ronacher Theater reopened after a "gentle renovation" and was let for rent. Since September 1997, it has again been part of the United Stages Vienna. Today, it is mainly used as a venue for international productions on tour and events. Occasionally, it also hosts its own musical productions or different shows such as Chicago, Falco, Dance of the Vampires and many others.
Getting there by public transportation:?
subways U1 or U3 - Stephansplatz station?
subway U4 - Stadtpark station
