The 5 best places for theatre in Rotterdam

People were once dancing through the night to the sounds of a barrel organ in Dancing Walhalla. A grassroots initiative led to the establishment of a small theatre here, in 2008. An appealing programme with performances, cabaret and music for all ages and by talented artists resulted in an expansion across the street, where an extra hall and restaurant were built in the former harbour workers’ canteen.

Theater Rotterdam is both the biggest theatre venue in the city and a major theatre production house. There are two locations: the theatre at Schouwburgplein is the main venue, a smaller venue is located in the Witte de With area (William Boothlaan 8). The programme aims to be unconventional and thought-provoking, and offers plenty of room for emerging talent.

Local amateur theatre groups run this small theatre, located in an old chapel. You can see plays by the organisers on most weekends. Theatre, dance and cabaret performances by other companies are booked for the rest of the year. There’s a blues and jazz night every second Wednesday of the month. To get to the theatre, walk through the gate between Schiekade 45 and 47.

Built as an art deco-style cinema in 1917, Het Oude Luxor became the city’s central place for accessible theatre in the decades that followed. The programming now includes plays, cabaret and music (theatre). A second and larger location, Het Nieuwe Luxor, opened in 2001 at Kop van Zuid (Posthumalaan 1). Visit the website for the programme of both locations.

Children, teenagers and adolescents are the main audience of this family theatre, which is run by several theatre groups that focus on youth theatre. Expect a wide variety of plays, dance and music performances, and location-specific theatre. Parents are invited to join.