The building was planned by saline architect Franz Ferdinand Edangler in 1827, when Ischl was in its early days as a spa resort. The theatre was planned in the prevailing “empire” style and in 1882, a separate staircase for the imperial family was added.
The house was often called the "little castle", since greats like Johann Nestroy, Alexander Girardi, and Katharina Schratt performed there.
In 1940, on the occasion of Franz Lehár's 70th birthday, the building was renamed “Lehár Theatre”.
For a long time, the building only served as a cinema, but in recent years many events have been held there.
Note concerning the inscription above the entrance:
The house was never an imperial and royal court theatre. After its construction, it initially belonged to a joint-stock company of Ischl citizens and from 1848 it was owned by the municipality. With that clarification, the theatre did have a court box!
Website Lehár Theater