For the upcoming season, the Röschen Ensemble goes full steam on a maritime beat. As the polar ice caps melt, the Dutch are already pitching tents on the Worringer North Sea shore and Cologne’s old town along Schaafenstraße has turned into a lagoon, yet the ensemble stays unruffled: Water-washed and unshaken, it dives beneath the waves. Between Ariel, Nemo, lesbian mermaids, gay dolphins, and transatlantic underwater beings, the reef reveals itself as colorful, quirky, and more diverse than ever — promising plenty of depth and plenty of damp humor.
But behind the glittering surface there’s also a serious note: while many places are underwater politically and queer communities worldwide are fighting to keep their heads above water, the celebration rises as a loud, bright, and solidary beacon. Under the motto “Queer Reef of Dreams,” the new Röschen session invites a queer underwater party where even the term “wetlands” takes on new meaning.
The performances run on January 10, 11, and 25, and February 1, 2, 11, and 14, 2026 (Carnival Saturday) at the Gloria Theater in Cologne. Start times are 8:00 PM, with Sunday shows at 4:00 PM. The January 25 performance will also be translated into sign language.
The ensemble includes Abends mit Beleuchtung, Matthias Brandebusemeyer, Rainer Breuer, Stephan Isermann, Nina Moers, George Le Bonsai, Marion Radtke, Manuel Rittich, Stephan Runge, Lysander Schwiebert, and Claus Vinçon. Guest appearances will be: Pink Poms, Jonathan Briefs, Coremy, Swanee Feels, StattGarde Colonia Ahoj e.V. on February 11, and the Panikorchester Ermatingen on February 14. (dd/pm)
