The Magic Flute Underground
Underneath the Reichstag a U-bahn station lays dormant. The building of the western extension to the U5 to run from Alexanderplatz to the Reichstag (Bundestag), was put on hold several years ago due to lack of funds. If there is one thing this city understands, it's shortage of cash flow. Berlin's 60-billion Euro debt leaves California looking like it's lost a bit of pocket money down the back of the couch.
So the U5 was put on hold, and the Bundestag station left to wallow in dust in a pristine condition.
Until now.
Throughout May the station will vibrate to the sounds of The Magic Flute (Die Zauberflöte). The train platform itself is the stage, while audience members will be arranged on both side of the tracks and the gallery levels. The mysterious network of tunnels we view only fleetingly in the warmth of a train carriage form the basis for the director's Kingdoms of Light and Dark.
I've never set foot into this train station, and this looks like a fantastic opportunity to do it.
If you'd like to check out some photos of the station and the show, they can be found here and tickets can be booked online.
The show premieres 26.04, and runs through to the 25.05, with shows every evening except Monday and extra matinees on the weekend. I'd suggest booking soon: most Berliner's I've talked to want to see it also.