Vienna's English Theatre (VET) is the oldest foreign-language theatre in Vienna, Austria. Founded in 1963, the theatre occasionally offers works in French or Italian.

Venue: Vienna's English Theatre
Address: Josefsgasse 12, 1080 Wien
Town: Vienna, AT

Vienna's English Theatre (VET) is the oldest foreign-language theatre in Vienna, Austria. Founded in 1963, the theatre occasionally offers works in French or Italian. It was founded in 1963 by the Austrian director Franz Schafranek and his American wife, Ruth Brinkmann, an actress and graduate of the Yale University School of Drama. Originally intended as a summer theatre for English-speaking tourists, it won immediate acceptance by the Viennese public and extended its initial season to offer a year-round programme. After opening in a 99-seat playhouse in the Erzherzog Karl Palace in central Vienna, the theatre moved several times over the next ten years to accommodate its growing audience. During this time, most of the productions were directed by Franz Schafranek while Ruth Brinkmann demonstrated her acting talent and versatility in numerous roles. By 1974 the theatre had gained the support of the City of Vienna in finding its permanent home in the Josefsgasse. In 1976 they presented the world premiere of Tennessee Williams’ The Red Devil Battery Sign under the playwright's direction, with Ruth Brinkmann in the leading female role. A highlight was the 1991 world premiere of Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning Three Tall Women, directed by the author, which he dedicated to the memory of Franz Schafranek after his sudden death earlier that year. Through its international recognition, the theatre has attracted stage and screen personalities to the Josefsgasse, among them Joan Fontaine, Anthony Quinn, Horst Buchholz, Linda Gray, Larry Hagman, Princess Grace of Monaco, Dame Anna Neagle, Siobhan McKenna and Judi Dench as well as Jean-Louis Barrault, Jeanne Moreau and Jean-Paul Belmondo who appeared for the Théâtre Français de Vienne. French productions were added by Dr. Schafranek beginning in 1978, and the Teatro Italiano di Vienna was established in 1985 offering original works in Italian with stars such as Vittorio Gassmann and Andrea Jonasson. With its 5000 subscr