Royal Theater Carré

Location

Carré is located next to the Amstel, close to Waterlooplein. Its address is Amstel 115.

History

Carré is closely connected to the family Carré. This family group gave their first performances by the end of the 18th century and in 1863 they came to the Netherlands for the first time. In 1866 Oscar Carré finally got permission to build his first stone theatre, and on 3 December 1887 this building was officially opened. It was immediately a big success. At first Carré was only used during the winter, the winter circus of Oscar Carré then performed but during the rest of the year this group travelled and the theatre was empty. However in 1893 the theatre was rented during the summer, which meant that there were performances during the entire year. Carré turned form a circus into a variété theatre (Dutch version of a Music Hall). After the dead of Oscar Carré in 1911 the theatre had a bad period. No profits were made even though several directors tried new things. Max Gabriël rebuilt the theatre, but this didn't work so he left only a year later. Boekholt brought a new program and new sorts of amusements, but this didn't work either. A business company whom brought back the circus entertainment went bankrupt. Finally (in 1924) two gentlemen named Benjamin and Content were able to make a profit with Carré. After Benjamin and Content, Alex Wunnink became the director. He was successful and brought many new shows, as well as a big profit.
During the second world war Carré attracted more people, because people were searching for distraction. But because of the razia's (police raids) in 1944, people started to stay away and the doors were closed from 1944 till 1945.
After the death of Alex Wunnik his son Karel Wunnik became the new director. Under Karel Wunnik the theatre had serious problems. In 1968 Carré was bought with the intention to break it down and build a hotel on its place. That's when the municipality of Amsterdam got involved. They made a new destination plan, and two years later it got a monumental status to protect the theatre. In 1974 Guus Osters became the new director, but he had difficulties attracting public. He had to take some serious measures but eventually a couple of new (and very successful) shows saved him and Carré.
In 1977 Carré became the official theatre of Amsterdam, because the municipality bought it and when it celebrated its centenary it became the Royal Theater Carré.

Artists

Several famous artists that have performed at Carré.

Groups

Several famous groups that have performed at Carré

Shows

The theatre nowadays

The Royal Theater Carré nowadays is still being used for show and performances. There's a big offer of shows like musical, dance, cabaret, stand up comedian, opera, operetta, theatre shows, classical concerts, pop concerts, poetry etc. Many national and international popular artists perform on a regular base at Carré. In the lobby several statues have been placed. These statues depict famous Dutch artists that have performed at Carré, like Toon Hermans, Jos Brink, Youp van 't Hek, Tineke Schouten and André van Duin.

On occasion, famous Dutch performers who have died, are lying in repose in the theatre so members of the public can pay their respect (Ramses Shaffy, Jos Brink).

On the top floor of the theatre there's a restaurant named Oscar's, after the famous founder of Carré.