If you walk along the Amstel River and see the red letters Carré, you are looking at a piece of theater history. The neo-renaissance theater was opened in 1887 by circus director Oscar Carré as a permanent circus theater. Circus Carré, in other words, with a huge auditorium built specifically for rings, horses and spectacular acts. That enormous hall is still there, now equipped for theater, cabaret, dance and major concert productions.
Over time, the building has become a protected monument and one of the best-known theater stages in the country. Where once the stables dominated, you will now find a full program: cabaret, musicals, opera, circus performances, dance, concerts and special one-off shows. Carré programs widely, from national audience favorites to international productions. Concert series and special one-off performances regularly pop up under its own international label.
In recent years, Carré has placed additional emphasis on its own productions and co-productions. New creators and collaborations are encouraged through the Carré Foundation, especially since the period following the corona closures. This means more frequent performances that are truly developed in and with the theater itself, in collaboration with artists and partners. Several theater, cabaret and concert nights are scheduled between March and September 2026, with titles such as "Daniel Sloss - Bitter" and "Joe Jackson + Band - Hope and Fury Tour 2026.
In recent years, Carré has placed additional emphasis on in-house productions and co-productions.
Inside, it's not just about what happens on stage. The various foyers with bars on several floors provide buzz before curtain-up and during intermission. Upstairs in the building is restaurant In de Nok, literally in the wooden truss, where dining is directly linked to the evening's performance. In appropriate seasons, the Carré terrace on the Amstel River is added, bringing the river along as the backdrop to your evening of theater.