Royal Theater Carré

The Royal Theater Carré is a theater in the center of Amsterdam. Its original name is Circus 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 theater, 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 theater was empty. However in 1893 the theater was rented during the summer, which meant that there were performances during the entire year. Carré turned form a circus into a variété theater. After the dead of Oscar Carré in 1911 the theater had a bad period. No profits were made even though several directors tried new things. Max Gabriël rebuild the theater, 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, and a big profit.
During the second world war Carré attracted more people, because people were searching for distraction. But because of the Razia's in 1944, people started to stay away and the doors were closed from 1944 till 1945. When they reopened their doors after the war, they got more criticism.
After the death of Alex Wunnik his son Karel Wunnik became the new director. Under Karel Wunnik the theater had serious problems. In 1968 Carré was bought with the intention to break it down and build a hotel on the place. That's where the municipality of Amsterdam got involved. They made a new destination plan, and two years later it got a monumental status to protect it. In 1974 Guus Osters became the new director, but he had difficulties attracting public. He had to take some serious messieurs but eventually a couple of new (and very successful) shows saved him and Carré.
In 1977 Carré became the official theater of Amsterdam, because the municipality bought it and when it existed for one hundred years 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 theater nowaday

The Royal Theater Carré nowaday is still being used for show and performances. There's a big offer of shows like dance, cabaret, stand up comedian, opera, operetta, theater shows, classical concerts, pop concerts, poetry etc. Many popular artist of the moment (such as Najib Amhali, Di-rect and André van Duin) performe on a regular base at Carré. In the lobby several statues are placed. These statues belong to famous artists that have performed at the Carré, like Toon Hermans, Jos Brink, Youp van 't Hek, Tinneke Schouten and André van Duin.
The body off the Dutch actor and singer Ramses Shaffy is laid out in the Theater.
At the top of the theater there's located a restaurant named Osacar's after the famous founder of Carré.

References