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From ski touring in the Alps to elk watching in the Rockies and dog sledding in Norway
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Mama Shelter
Designed by Philippe Starck, the comfortable space is in synch with its locale, writes Sophy Roberts
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1. Staatsoper Unter den Linden
Both the theatre troupe and the orchestra of the venerable Berlin Opera - now ably directed by Daniel Barenboim ? enjoy top reputations. Nowhere else can you see so many top stars of classical music.
- Unter den Linden 5?7
- (030) 20 35 45 55
- Ticket office 11am - 7pm Mon?Fri, 2?7pm Sun
- Admission charge
- www.staatsoper-berlin.de
2. Philharmonie
Germany's "temple" of classical music still presents the best conductors and orchestras in the world. Designed by Scharoun, the concert hall boasts unique acoustics that are much appreciated by artists and audience alike. Concerts by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra are very popular and are often sold out for weeks ahead.
- Herbert-von-Karajan-Str. 1
- Box office (030) 25 48 81 32
- 8pm daily, Sun also 4pm
3. Wintergarten Varieté
Berlin's largest variety show relates back to the traditions of its famous predecessor from the 1920s. Every evening, André Heller and Bernhard Paul direct a varied classical cabaret show in the former cinema, which has been transformed into an amazingly beautiful theatre. The shows change three or four times a year, but there is always a mix of acrobatics, comedy and song on offer.
- Potsdamer Str. 96
- (030) 25 00 88 88
- 8pm Mon-Fri, 6pm and 10pm Sat, 6pm Sun
4. Chamäleon-Varieté
The lack of technology is more than made up for with much wit and ingenuity by the small, alternative Chamäleon stage. If you are seated in the front row, you are likely to get pulled onto the stage.
- Rosenthaler Str. 40/41, Hackesche Höfe
- (030) 282 71 18
- 8pm daily, midnight performances Fri, Sat
5. Bar jeder Vernunft
This venue, whose name means "devoid of all reason", is Berlin's most popular comedy theatre. The cabaret offers a humorous and, at times, romantic programme of songs and chansons, reviews, cabaret, slapstick and comedy, all based in an amazing mirror tent dating from the 1920s. Many stars of the international and German cabaret scene can be seen regularly among the performers here: for example Tim Fischer, Georgette Dee, the Pfister Sisters and Gayle Tufts, as well as older stars such as Otto Sander or Brigitte Mira.
- Schaperstr. 24 (car park Freie VolksbÜhne)
- (030) 883 15 82
- 7pm daily
6. Deutsches Theater
Performances at the German Theatre, one of the best German-language venues, include mainly classic plays in the tradition of Max Reinhardt. Experimental theatre by young playwrights is performed at the DT Baracke.
- Schumannstr. 13
- (030) 28 44 12 25
- 8pm daily
7. Theater des Westens
For two decades, this theatre has been producing its own shows, such as La Cage aux Folles, and promoting German musicals around the world. Now its future hangs in the balance.
- Kantstr. 12
- (030) 599 89 99
- 8pm Tue-Sat, 6pm Sun
8. Friedrichstadtpalast
The long-legged dancers in Friedrichstadtpalast are as popular today as they were in the 1920s in their legendary former venue, which was damaged during World War II. Long celebrated as the "world's greatest variety show", the performances have today become even more spirited and entertaining.
- Friedrichstr. 107
- Box office (030) 23 26 23 26
9. Hebbel-Theater
The Hebbel-Theater has attained cult status in Berlin, thanks to its modern and varied programme of concerts, dance and song. Top performers from around the world appear here.
- Stresemannstr. 29
- (030) 25 90 04 27
- 8pm daily
