The Freudenhaus Theatre – which translates tongue-in-cheek into „house of pleasure“ – is the birthplace of the Ruhr area comedy. It was here that in 1996 the famous comedy “Friends of the Italian Opera” was staged for the first time and has still kept its cult status. The charming and cosy theatre in Essen-Steele offers a programme of finest comedies “from the pot” just the way it is: colourful, diverse, a bit odd and most of all lovable.