Royal Park Theatre
The Royal Park Theatre (French: Théâtre Royal du Parc, Dutch: Koninklijk Parktheater) is a theatre in Brussels (Belgium). It is located at 3, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat, on the edge of Brussels' Park, facing the Federal Parliament. It is served by Brussels metro stations Parc/Park and Arts-Loi/Kunst-Wet.
Théâtre du Parc or Parktheater | |
 | |
| |
| Address | Rue de la Loi / Wetstraat 3 |
|---|---|
| Location | B-1000 City of Brussels, Brussels-Capital Region, Belgium |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1782 |
| Years active | 1782–1807, 1814–present |
| Architect | Louis Montoyer |
| Website | |
| Official website | |
History
Built in 1782 to plans by the architect Louis Montoyer, the Park Theatre was at first an annex to the Theatre of La Monnaie. The brothers Alexandre and Herman Bultos exploited both theatres at the same time, with the Park Theatre used for plays featuring young actors, as a sort of drama school for La Monnaie. It was closed in 1807 by Napoleon's decree on the theatres, but re-opened in 1814, and was occupied by a British company for a year then a Dutch company for a few months.
From 1819, the City of Brussels, owner of these two Royal Theatres, granted a concession to one director after another. The company and repertoire were identical yet distinct, with the Park Theatre specialising in vaudeville and boulevard theatre. From 1850 to 1854, the Park Theatre hosted Dutch productions, then specialised in operetta and opéra-comique, and finally (from 1869) in comedies. During the First World War, both theatres were requisitioned and the Park Theatre became a playhouse for the German garrison. Returning as a francophone theatre in 1919, it put on classic pieces featuring Belgian actors. Its current director is Thierry Debroux.