Bankruptcy of a traditional stage: The famous Munich laughing and shooting society has filed for bankruptcy. Bruno Jonas and Laila Nöth announced on Tuesday that the attempt at a new start had failed both personally and entrepreneurially. You are a partner in the legendary cabaret stage - and at odds with the third partner, Stefan Hanitzsch. The step clears the way for a legacy-free transmission of the important venue out of the insolvency, Nöth and Jonas justified the decision, which the Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) had previously reported on.

Behind the scenes of the theater, which was co-founded by Dieter Hildebrandt in 1956, there had recently been heated arguments about finances as well as the further conceptual orientation of the house. Not a good basis for a house that is already in financial difficulties. "The dispute between shareholders would be a burden for every new start," said Jonas and Nöth. The game has been suspended for around a week, and bankruptcy was reportedly filed with the Munich district court on Monday evening.

A few days ago, Munich's Mayor Dieter Reiter (SPD) and the cultural advisor Anton Biebl had campaigned for preservation. A mediation meeting with Jonas, Nöth and Hanitzsch probably failed. A further discussion with the group of participants does not seem sensible at this point in time, Reiter explained afterwards. Biebl had also made demands for further financial support from the city, including a clear business plan and a coherent and viable concept.

The Lach- und Schiess, as it is also called in Munich, has a special position in the German cabaret scene, as it has its own ensemble and stages productions. It began in 1956 with Hildebrandt, Klaus Havenstein, Hans Jürgen Diedrich, Ursula Herking and director Sammy Drechsel. Despite some crises and changes in the team, the theater on Ursulastrasse in Schwabing has become a legend. Hildebrandt in particular always guaranteed a full house with his performances. After his death in 2013, it became increasingly difficult to fill the small hall.

Hildebrandt played half the battle, said the then operator Till Hofmann in 2015, but stopped in 2021. In the constellation of shareholders, no consistent, common line could be found, he explained at the time. Hopes rested on Hanitzsch, who became managing director in autumn 2021, but was dismissed from this post last autumn.

Munich laughing and shooting society