Royal Theater Carre Amsterdam

Set up as the personal circus of Oscar Carre, the Theater Carre over the years came to be known as the Royal Theater Carre and played host to several theatrical productions.

The Royal Theater Carre in Amsterdam was constructed by Oscar Carre. It served the purpose of being the home to his personal circus. Down the years, it was converted to a theater where people could watch theatrical shows and gradually it became one of the prominent theaters in all over Europe. The theater was accorded with the title of Royal in the year of its centenary. Henceforth, it came to be known as the Royal Theater Carre. It has undergone several changes through the ages even though the basic structure remains the same.

Following the death of Carre, the theater was used for public entertainment. It hosted several operas, operetta, plays and vaudeville. It played host to the performances of various artistes like Henriette Kohler en Johan Buziau and Louis Davids. The reins of the Royal Theater passed on into the hands of Hein J. Jeins who became the new director of the theater.


After the renovation of Carre house, which incurred expenses up to 20 million guilders, Carre house was transformed into a spacious theater with provisions for circus accommodation.It was equipped with dressing rooms, storerooms, stables, spacious basement and stage housing.

Plays at the Royal Theater Carre
Some of the plays that were staged during the 20th century at the Carre included West Side Story, Annie and Oliver, My Fair Lady and Anatevka. It also staged some novel productions including Joe and Evita which ran to packed houses. It was also the place where the dance form of ballet was revived and given a new lease of life in "Ballet for Life" by Maurice Bejart.

Personalities at the Royal Theater Carre
The theater hosted shows by popular artists like Laura Pausini, James Taylor, Dulce Pontes, Oletta Adams, Bette Midler, Van Morrison, Georges Moustaki, Randy Newman, Lou Reed, Julien Clerc, Paolo Conte and Dionne Warwick. The Royal Theater Carre has hosted several shows down the years. The theater remains open throughout the year.