This theatre owns its exis tence to Prince Wilhelm of Hesse-Kassel, heir to the throne of Kurhesse. In January 1781 he ordered the treasury in Hanau to allocate 3500 florins “for the construction of a Comoedien Haus [playhouse] at Wilhelmsbad”, his brand-new spa. On July 8,1781 the theatre – built to plans by the Councillor Franz Ludwig von Cancrin – was inaugurated with the operetta “Tom Jones” by François André Danican. Theatre performances and concerts are still taking place in the Comoedienhaus, mostly organized by Comoedienhaus Ltd., i.e. the City of Hanau culture department, and the Hanau theatre association. In summer, the Comoedienhaus and the surrounding historic spa gardens are a unique festival location.