Théâtre Royal de Toone

Om museet

The Théâtre royal de Toone is the only traditional Brussels puppet theatre still in operation. Its tradition goes back to around 1830, when Antoine Genty, known as Toone, opened a “poechenellekelder” (puppet cellar) in the Marolles district. Toone is the Brussels diminutive of Antoine; the name has passed from puppeteer to puppeteer, and the current director, Nicolas Géal, is the eighth to bear it.

After several moves to working-class districts, the company lost its last premises in the early 1960s. José Géal, installed as Toone VII in 1963, found a dilapidated house dating from 1696 in the Îlot sacré. The theatre was inaugurated there on 1 April 1966 with “La Passion” by Michel de Ghelderode, and the definitive restoration took place in 1979. The building and the Schuddeveld cul-de-sac have been listed as a group since 1997.

In the attic of the house, spectators sit on wooden benches to watch rod puppets: six puppeteers manipulate them while Toone lends his voice to all the characters. The repertoire ranges from the great classics of the theatre to opera and fantastic literature, in French, in the Brussels dialect and, on request, in several other languages. The museum holds the “retired from the stage” puppets, former puppets of Toone and of colleagues from around the world. In 2025 the Brussels tradition of rod puppetry was inscribed by UNESCO on the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Højdepunkter

• Rod-puppet performances in the attic of a house from 1696
• Museum with the “retired from the stage” puppets and puppets of colleagues from around the world
• Costume workshop, library and a folk tavern three centuries old
• Performances in French, in the Brussels dialect and, on request, in several languages
• Listed Schuddeveld cul-de-sac, a stone’s throw from the Grand-Place

Permanent udstilling

• Musée de Toone et Maison de la Marionnette – Puppets retired from the stage, Toone’s characters and puppets from colleagues around the world, costume workshop and library.

Grundlagt

1830

Ejer

Théâtre Royal de Toone asbl

Ledelse

Nicolas Géal (Toone VIII)

Entrépriser & rabatter

Der er gratis entré.

Visiting the Maison de la Marionnette is free, and the museum is free for spectators at the interval; performances are paid. The theatre is a partner of Article 27.

Tilgængelighed

Museet har ikke offentliggjort oplysninger om dette.

Børn og familie

Velegnet til børn og familier

• Familieomvisninger & workshops

The theatre describes its performances as funny and suitable for all audiences; reduced rate for children and a Saturday matinee at 16:00. Cultural outreach activities are open to everyone from 7 years.

Transport & parkering

The theatre is at the end of the Schuddeveld cul-de-sac (impasse Sainte-Pétronille), at no. 66 rue du Marché-aux-Herbes, very close to the Grand-Place.

Service & spisesteder

• Café

Folk tavern on the ground floor, with beers (including gueuze), an open sandwich of fresh cheese on bread (“plattekeis”), and board games available free of charge.

Arrangementer & udlejning

• Lokaler til leje
• Private fester
• Firmaarrangementer

Op til 140 personer.

Team building, guided tours and private performances, buffets, receptions, presentations and conferences, for up to 140 people.

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