This was a popular mode of education as the illiterate people could not afford the opera or the great theaters and puppet shows therefore allowed them to keep abreast of cultural news. Puppet theaters allowed great freedom of tone and the vast repertoire takes its roots from popular legends, medieval tales of chivalry, operas, religious or historical plays and freely adapted into series. In the early nineteenth century, Brussels puppet theaters were one of the most successful adult entertainments for people from humble backgrounds and were implanted in poor neighborhoods. The players were then replaced by "poechenellen" (puppets) in clandestine theaters. The puppet theaters trace their origin back to a decree by Philip II of Spain, son of Charles V, hated by the population, who closed the theaters to prevent them from becoming rallying places that would have increased the population’s hostility towards him. Nicolas Géal - Toone (nickname for Antoine), the eighth of the name, is the voice of all the puppets and creates new shows as well as adapting famous pieces of the classical theater repertoire. Each Toone puppeteer is inducted by his predecessor and he manages the theater and puppet museum in the Impasse Sainte-Petronille, a well-hidden treasure in Brussels. Since 1830, The Théâtre Royal de Toone has been carrying on the long tradition of popular puppet theater. There is also a doll-making factory, a library and a puppet museum, where the "retired” puppets are hung, heroes of Toone’s past and favorite characters of puppeteers around the world. TRT, an adult puppet theater unique in Europe, is situated in a typical attic with its colorfully festooned benches and cushions nailed to the rough wooden planks. The Théâtre Royal de Toone (TRT) is one of the places dearest to the heart of Brussels’ population The Théâtre Royal de Toone in Brussels is an authentic and original theater, steeped in Brussels’ history and culture! Ideally located next to the Grand Place, one can discover the roots of Brussels culture in a venerable house dating back to 1696. This open-mindedness projected the Théâtre Royal de Toone on the European and world stage. It was around 1830 that Antoine Genty called "Toone" (nickname for Antoine) opened his "Poechenellekelder" (puppets cellar).įar from restricting himself to the past, José Géal - Toone VII - opened the Théâtre Royal de Toone to Europe by adapting his shows in English but also in Spanish, Italian and German. The Théâtre Royal de Toone is the only traditional puppet theater still active in Brussels. Traditional Brussels’ puppet theater - Typical café Private shows in English and guided tours on request.
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