What Teatret ved Sorte Hest does

Teatret ved Sorte Hest is an independent private theatre located at Vesterbrogade 150 in Copenhagen's Vesterbro district, Denmark, with an operating history approaching 50 years as of 2026 and self-identified as one of Copenhagen's smallest theatres. The venue produces a seasonal programme of theatrical performances spanning classical absurdism (notably Eugene Ionesco and Samuel Beckett works), contemporary drama, and literary adaptations, with a repertoire exemplified by the multi-award-winning MENS VI VENTER PÅ GODOT (Årets Reumert 2021 for Direction, Teaterkatten 2020, CPHCULTURE Årets Forestilling 2020) and the 2024 premiere of Edward Albee's HVEM ER BANGE FOR VIRGINIA WOOLF?. Programming is organized through three named societies — Hestestole-Selskabet, Det Internationale Selskab (English-language productions), and Litteraturselskabet ved Sorte Hest — supplemented by guest performances (gæstespil), an annual free outdoor event 'Godnathistorier til Nabolaget' (started 2020), and an on-site bar (Bar Belle Epoque). The theatre is led by Teaterchef Maria Vinterberg, with a small core staff including a communications chief/dramaturg/fundraiser (Stine Bille Olander), a ticket and bar manager (Mikael Jensen), a photographer (Robin Skjoldborg), and a graphic designer (Mike Tylak).

The business model is built on three primary revenue streams: ticket sales for performances (distributed through the Teaterbilletter.dk platform and direct email/phone booking), on-site bar beverage sales, and discounted school study tickets at 40 DKK for groups of six or more students under 25, with an annual pass (Årskort) product available for repeat visitors. Pricing varies by production and is not publicly disclosed for standard tickets. Distribution is domestic-only across Copenhagen, via self-serve ticketing, inside-sales-style group and school bookings, a physical bar, and direct annual pass sales. Marketing relies on the sortehest.com website, email newsletters, press coverage in Danish outlets (Berlingske, Information, Politiken, Jyllands-Posten, CPHCulture), and earned media around English-language productions. The theatre's go-to-market motion is event-driven, anchored by seasonal programming and supported by community-led engagement through the three societies and the free outdoor neighbourhood event.

The operating model is supplemented by a diversified public and philanthropic funding base — Frederiksbergfonden, Hoffmann og Husmans Fond, Nordea Fonden, Københavns Kommune, William Demant Fonden, Københavns Kommunes Scenekunstudvalg, Aage og Johanne Louis-Hansens Fond, A.P. Møller Fonden, and Beckett-Fonden — that supports individual productions and the outdoor community programme. An ongoing strategic partnership with Why Not Theatre Company has produced seven English-language co-productions between 2016 and 2025. The venue is undergoing a hall renovation that began in May 2026, and confirmed productions extend through 2028 (ET DUKKEHJEM premiere). The company is privately held with no parent company, subsidiaries, or external investors disclosed, and has GDPR-compliant data handling certified via its privacy policy.

Name

Teatret ved Sorte Hest

Legal name

Teatret ved Sorte Hest

Website

https://sortehest.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Teatret ved Sorte Hest is an independent private theatre in Copenhagen's Vesterbro district producing a seasonal programme of absurdist and contemporary drama in Danish and English, organized through three member societies, with on-site bar, discounted school tickets, and a free annual outdoor neighbourhood event.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Copenhagen

HQ country

Denmark

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket sales: Primary revenue stream from ticket sales for theatre productions and performances. Standard tickets sold through Teaterbilletter.dk and direct contact.
2. Bar services: On-site bar (Bar Belle Epoque) serving beverages before performances and during events.
3. School/educational tickets: Discounted study tickets for school groups (minimum 6 students under 25 years) at 40 kr per ticket.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Teatret ved Sorte Hest is an intimate Copenhagen theatre producing and presenting live theatrical performances, including its own main-stage productions, guest performances, and English-language productions via Det Internationale Selskab. It supplements performances with an annual outdoor storytelling event (Godnathistorier til Nabolaget), an on-site bar (Bar Belle Epoque), discounted school/student programs with study materials, and an annual pass subscription.

Product overview

Teatret ved Sorte Hest is an intimate Copenhagen theatre offering a portfolio of theatrical productions across multiple dedicated 'societies': its own main-stage productions, guest performances, and the English-language International Society (Det Internationale Selskab). The theatre's core offering is its seasonal program of theatrical performances spanning classical absurdism, contemporary drama, and literary adaptations. Supporting offerings include the annual free outdoor 'Godnathistorier til Nabolaget' event, a bar service (Bar Belle Epoque), school discount programs with study materials, and an annual pass subscription.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Forestillinger (Theatrical Productions) Seasonal programme of theatrical performances presented at the venue, including own productions, guest performances, and English-language productions by The International Society. Targeted at general theatre audiences in Copenhagen.
• Det Internationale Selskab (The International Society) Dedicated society producing English-language theatrical performances for international audiences in Copenhagen, presenting plays such as Animal Farm, Berlin Berlin, Shirley Valentine, and The Cheyenne Are Leaving.
• Litteraturselskabet (The Literature Society) Society focused on literary adaptations and performances based on written works, such as Line Knutzon's plays, presented at the theatre.
• Hestestole-Selskabet (The Horse Chairs Society) Society that presents an annual 'Honorary Horse Chair' (Årets Æres-Hestestol) award and organizes related events around that programming.
• Godnathistorier til Nabolaget (Goodnight Stories for the Neighbourhood) Free outdoor storytelling performances held annually in June since 2020 (with a December special edition), featuring curated theatre texts, fiction, music, podcasts, and lectures staged under the open sky for local neighbourhood audiences.
• Bar Belle Epoque On-site bar service open one hour before performances, serving beverages and light refreshments to theatre-goers at the venue.
• Skoler (School Programs) Educational program offering discounted student tickets (from 40 DKK for groups of 6+ under 25 years), study materials for teachers, and special arrangements for primary schools, youth education (FGU), and universities.
• Årskort (Annual Pass) Annual membership pass offering unlimited or priority access to performances throughout the season, available to individual theatre-goers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nominated for Byens Bedste Kulturoplevelse 2024 by Berlingske and AOK
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• FGU Vestegnen, BrøndbyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeatret ved Sorte Hest has 'venskabsteater' (friendship theatre) status with FGU Vestegnen's Brøndby department, an educational institution for youth under 25 years pursuing vocational training, gymnasium, or employment.
• Why Not Theatre CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration with Why Not Theatre Company for English-language productions. Joint productions include THE CHEYENNE ARE LEAVING (2020), HAPPY DAYS (2021), MAIREAD (2019), DANCE WITH ME (2020), MR. TESLA PLAYED (2018), VITA & VIRGINIA (2016), and THE THIN PLACE (2025).
• FrederiksbergfondenminorOthersFunding supporter for GODNATHISTORIER TIL NABOLAGET outdoor performances
• Hoffmann og Husmans FondminorOthersFunding supporter for GODNATHISTORIER TIL NABOLAGET outdoor performances
• Københavns KommuneminorOthersMunicipal funding support for cultural events including GODNATHISTORIER TIL NABOLAGET
• Nordea FondenminorOthersFunding supporter for GODNATHISTORIER TIL NABOLAGET outdoor performances
• William Demant FondenminorOthersFunding support for THE CHEYENNE ARE LEAVING production
• Københavns Kommunes ScenekunstudvalgminorOthersGovernment cultural funding body supporting THE CHEYENNE ARE LEAVING production
• Aage og Johanne Louis-Hansens FondminorOthersFoundation supporter for THE CHEYENNE ARE LEAVING production
• A.P. Møller FondenminorOthersMajor Danish foundation supporting HAPPY DAYS production
• Beckett-FondenminorOthersFoundation supporting Beckett-related productions including HAPPY DAYS

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Café Teatret: Small Copenhagen theater combining stage performances with a café/bar; similar intimate-venue independent model with on-site food and beverage revenue stream.
• Folketeatret: Historic Copenhagen repertoire theater producing own productions, classics, and musicals in a mid-scale venue; comparable as a Copenhagen-based own-production theater with touring activity.
• Republique: Independent Copenhagen venue theater combining own productions with guest performances and a restaurant/bar; directly comparable as a multi-space independent theater operating in central Copenhagen.
• Nørrebro Teater: Independent Copenhagen theater offering own productions and guest performances; Stine Bille Olander was communications chief here 2015-2019. Closest peer in scale, business model, and urban setting within Copenhagen.
• Betty Nansen Teater: Independent Copenhagen theater producing its own repertoire of contemporary drama and literary adaptations; directly comparable intimate-venue independent operator in the same Copenhagen market.
• Riddersalen: Small Copenhagen independent theater producing contemporary drama and own repertoire in an intimate Frederiksberg venue; directly comparable intimate-venue independent operator.
• Husets Teater: Copenhagen-based independent venue theater operating across multiple performance spaces; Stine Bille Olander (Sorte Hest's communications chief) previously served as PR chief here. Directly comparable intimate-scale independent theater in the same city.

Broad incumbents

• Det Kongelige Teater (Royal Danish Theatre): Denmark's national theater operating multiple venues (including the small Scala stage) with a broad classical and contemporary repertoire; broader incumbent serving the same Copenhagen market with overlapping audience.

Regional players

• Mungo Park: Independent repertoire theater based in Allerød north of Copenhagen producing contemporary drama; comparable small-scale own-production model in the broader Danish market, with touring into Copenhagen.
• Edison Park: Independent Danish theater producing its own repertoire with a focus on contemporary writing and touring across Denmark; comparable small-scale own-production operator reaching into the Copenhagen market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/teatret-ved-sorte-hest

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Teatret ved Sorte Hest