Only the best for the youngest
Children’s Theatre in the Heart of Copenhagen
When Det Lille Teater was founded in 1966, ideas about childhood were changing. Children were no longer seen as little adults, but as individuals in their own right, with their own unique perspectives on the world. They deserved a culture of their own.
The driving force behind Det Lille Teater, Vibeke Gaardmand, joined forces with artists such as Ib Spang Olsen, Halfdan Rasmussen, Leif Panduro and Benny Andersen to create a theatre for children. Its performances would take children's perspectives seriously while maintaining a high artistic standard.
This marked the beginning of Det Lille Teater, one of Denmark's first permanent children's theatres. The theatre moved into an old building dating from 1789, in the courtyard at 5–7 Lavendelstræde, right in the heart of Copenhagen's city centre, where it remains today.
Later, the Marionette Theatre in King's Garden also became part of Det Lille Teater.
Det Lille Teater Goes to the Museum
As Det Lille Teater celebrates its 60th anniversary, it also marks 60 years of children's theatre and culture in the heart of Copenhagen. To celebrate, part of the theatre is taking up temporary residence at the Museum of Copenhagen with the pop-up exhibition ONLY THE BEST FOR THE YOUNGEST – 60 YEARS OF CHILDREN'S THEATRE. The exhibition tells the story of a small theatre that has always remained true to its belief that children deserve to be taken seriously.
Behind the red curtain in the museum's entrance hall, children and adults alike can discover a selection of the many quirky and imaginative puppets that have featured in the theatre's productions over the past six decades. The exhibition also spills over into the museum café, where posters and photographs from past productions form part of the décor.
General Information
The pop-up exhibition is open during the Museum of Copenhagen's opening hours. No admission ticket is required, as the exhibition is located in the museum's entrance hall.
Christmas with Mester the Dog.
Children's author Thomas Winding, best known for his many children's programmes on Danish television channel DR, joined Det Lille Teater in the 1990s. This marked the beginning of a long-standing collaboration, and Winding went on to play an important role in the theatre's history. His stories about Mester, the little dog, were adapted for the stage, and ever since, Mester has returned to the theatre's programme from time to time.
To mark the anniversary, the meatball-loving dog is back – this time in the heart-warming Christmas tale MESTER'S CHRISTMAS, for children aged 2–6. The production runs at Det Lille Teater from 13 November to 21 December 2026. Tickets for the performance are available at www.detlilleteater.dk.
An Invitation to the City's Kindergartens
Mester also features in the exhibition at the Museum of Copenhagen, which will host the workshop ‘Meet Mester’. The workshop introduces a series of drama-based games and activities for kindergartens across the city. The activities help prepare the children for their visit to Det Lille Teater to see MESTER'S CHRISTMAS.
As part of the programme, the children will also be visited by Mester himself, accompanied by puppeteer Maria, who will show them how puppetry can bring a puppet to life.
Are you a kindergarten teacher in or around Copenhagen and interested in taking part in this free programme? Find out more and sign up here.
Spændende temaaftener om børnekultur før, nu og i fremtiden
Det Lille Teater inviterer til to temaaftenener i november. Det er gratis at deltage:
19. november - Et nyt børnesyn sætter en ny dagsorden
Hvordan voksede den moderne børnekultur frem i 1960’erne, og hvilken rolle spillede Det Lille Teater? Mød Maria Stenz (skuespiller) Gunvor Bjerre (udvikler på B&U, DR), Jan Helmer-Petersen (kultursociolog) og Anders Gaardmand (musiker og søn af Det Lille Teaters stifter) til en samtale om børneteatrets historie, børnesyn og kulturelle betydning.
Læs mere: https://cphmuseum.kk.dk/det-sker/temaaften-et-nyt-boernesyn-saetter-en-ny-dagsorden
24. november - Fremtidens børnekultur
Hvordan ser fremtidens børnekultur i København ud? Kom til en samtale om det levende teaters rolle, børns digitale hverdag og hvordan vi sammen kan sikre, at fremtidens børn får adgang til levende kunst og kultur. I panelet sidder Christopher Røhl (kulturborgmester, Københavns Kommune), Camilla Hübbe (leder af Det Lille Teater), Kirsten Drotner (professor i medievidenskab) og Maria Frej (medlem af Kultur- og Fritidsudvalget).
Læs mere: https://cphmuseum.kk.dk/det-sker/temaaften-fremtidens-boernekultur
Foundations
The anniversary exhibition is supported by
Nordjyllandsfonden
Ernst B. Sund Fonden
Lasson Andersens Fond
Jorck’s Fond (Konsul Georg Jorck og Hustru Emma Jorck’s Fond)
Simon Spies Fonden