Major water damage at the Volkstheater Bautzen

Several thousand liters of water have flooded the main building of the Deutsch-Sorbisches Volkstheater in Bautzen. During maintenance work in the morning, the sprinkler system suddenly started up without a fire breaking out, the theater announced. An estimated 6,000 liters of water flooded the stage, the orchestra pit, the lower stage and adjoining rooms.

All performances in the main auditorium have been canceled up to and including next Tuesday (20 January). The performances in the Burgtheater will take place. A costume flea market on the rehearsal stage of the main auditorium will also be held on Saturday and Sunday as planned. Every effort is being made to resume regular performances as soon as possible, explained artistic director Lutz Hillmann.

Exact amount of damage still unclear

The amount of damage is currently still unclear. All the spotlights above the stage got wet and need to be checked. It is still unclear whether the wooden stage floor needs to be replaced.

The technicians present turned off the spraying system after a few minutes. Employees of the theater and actors tried to remove the water. The fire department helped with pumps.