SOMETHING ROTTEN!
Hope springs eternal… In October 2022, we launched the campaign #TheETFMustStay and almost 30,000 of you confirmed that by signing our petition. Now, nearly 1.5 years, later we can finally say: Yes, it will (stay)!
We, with the help of the City of Frankfurt, have secured a 10-year lease inside the Gallileo-Tower, in the heart of Frankfurt. And, of course, with your tremendous support! The show will go on, but not without a brief interruption. The tower, now over 20 years old, will have to undergo substantial renovations. For that period, the ETF will continue its work at an interim venue, starting April 2024. Unfortunately, that also means that the ETF will have to conclude the incredibly successful run of “Something Rotten!” earlier than expected. The musical will celebrate its final curtain call on Sunday, the 14th of January. Please believe us: We are very sad to see this fantastic cast go.
Our box office team will contact all patrons who have already purchased tickets for Something Rotten! to rebook them for another show, or to issue either a voucher or refund. Please note that due to the high volume of purchased tickets, this might take a moment.
We sincerely apologise for the short notice, and we wholeheartedly thank you for all the steadfast support and warm loyalty you have extended to the ETF and its incredible staff. We cannot wait to welcome you back at our interim location this April with the premiere of “Sylvia” — and back in our “home,” inside the Gallieo-Tower, in 2025!
With gratitude,
Daniel Nicolai and the ETF Team
A musical comedy with a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell and music and lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick. Concieved by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick
17th November 2023 – 31st March 2024
Welcome to the Renaissance, where the Black Plague has ceded power to the Puritans, ruffs and codpieces are the latest fashion trend, and the biggest celebrity in England is a playwright named William Shakespeare. In the midst of all this excitement, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are trying to keep their acting company afloat. In a desperate attempt to out-Bard the Bard, Nick consults with an oracle, who informs him that the future of theatre involves acting, singing, and dancing – sometimes all at once! As the Bottom brothers strive to write the world’s very first musical, they find themselves caught in a bitter battle with the Bard and the play‘s the thing. Something Rotten! is an uproarious dose of pure fun and an irresistible ode to musicals – those dazzling creations that entertain us, inspire us, and remind us that everything’s better with an exclamation point!
Willkommen in der Renaissance, wo die Schwarze Pest die Macht an die Puritaner abgegeben hat, Halskrausen und Korsetts der neueste Modetrend sind und die größte Berühmtheit in England ein Dramatiker namens William Shakespeare ist. Inmitten all dieser Aufregung versuchen die Brüder Nick und Nigel Bottom, ihre Schauspieltruppe über Wasser zu halten. In einem verzweifelten Versuch, den Barden zu übertrumpfen, konsultiert Nick ein Orakel, das ihm mitteilt, dass die Zukunft des Theaters aus Schauspiel, Gesang und Tanz besteht – manchmal alles auf einmal! Während die Bottom-Brüder versuchen, das allererste Musical der Welt zu schreiben, finden sie sich in einem erbitterten Kampf mit dem Barden wieder. Something Rotten! ist eine schallende Dosis puren Spaßes und eine unwiderstehliche Ode an Musicals – jene schillernden Kreationen, die uns unterhalten, inspirieren und uns daran erinnern, dass mit einem Ausrufezeichen alles besser ist!
‘Something Rotten!’ is something fun. New York Times
A Mel Brooks-style Elizabethan-era backstage spoof. New York Times
Something Rotten! has established itself as Broadway’s funniest, splashiest, slap-happiest musical comedy in at least 400 years. Time Out NY
You can bet the Swan of Avon is rolling in his grave—with laughter. Time Out NY
A deliriously entertaining new musical comedy that is devilishly clever. New York Post
Shamelessly silly parody of Broadway musicals — and outrageous spoof of all things Shakespeare. New York Post
A deliriously funny show. Variety
A Bard-stormingly funny new musical. Entertainment Weekly
Shakespeare as rock star in frenetic crowd pleaser. Newsday
You could describe “Something Rotten!” as Shakespeare in Love meets Spamalot. amNY
We want to extend our sincerest thanks to Tom Fowler for allowing us to use his photograph in our programme. And his wife Cheryl Fowler, costume designer, who’s talent is captured in an incredible moment, and we truly appreciate your generosity in granting us permission to utilize your work. Your artistry has added immense value to our project, and we are incredibly grateful for your kindness.
