Théâtre de la Choucrouterie
The Théâtre de la Choucrouterie is a small performance venue in a former sauerkraut factory in the Finkwiller district, near the Église Saint-Louis. Run by the satirical singer Roger Siffer, it is a key address for Alsatian humour, known for its annual satirical revue performed in both Alsatian and French.
From sauerkraut factory to stage
From 1937 the site housed a sauerkraut factory. In 1983 the singer and humorist Roger Siffer bought the premises and turned them into a restaurant and café-concert, before the venue became the theatre known today. The name, a nod to the building's industrial past, sums up the house spirit: a cheerful attachment to Alsace, without frozen folklore.
The revue, in two languages at once
Each season the Choucrouterie presents a satirical revue that puts regional news through the wringer. The twist: the Alsatian and French versions are performed at the same time, with the same actors switching from one stage to the other. The Alsatian version starts a quarter of an hour earlier to make this juggling act possible. A feat that is part of the fun.
Two intimate halls
The theatre has two halls, with 98 and 71 seats; the Alsatian version of the revue traditionally takes the larger one. The rest of the season alternates with other regional shows: comedy, stand-up, concerts and, in recent years, improv in Alsatian. In such small houses you are very close to the stage, and the atmosphere is as much cabaret as theatre.
A breeding ground for talent
The Choucrouterie saw the beginnings of the gypsy jazz guitarist Tchavolo Schmitt and the actor Alex Lutz. Since 1986 the troupe has also toured Alsatian villages every summer with free concerts, funded by the traditional passing of the hat. The theatre has thus become a landmark of contemporary Alsatian culture, attached to the regional language and an irreverent spirit.
Practical information
Frequently asked questions
Where is the Choucrouterie?
In the Finkwiller district, near the Église Saint-Louis, south of the Grande Île and a few minutes' walk from Petite France.
Do you need to speak Alsatian to enjoy the revue?
No: the revue has a French version, performed at the same time as the Alsatian one. Just choose your language when booking.
What to do before the show?
A walk along the Ill towards Petite France and the nearby Ponts Couverts makes a fine prelude to an evening of Alsatian humour.
Wikimedia Commons — Ji-Elle · Wikimedia Commons — Clemencew
