Cirque Royal
The Cirque Royal (French) or Koninklijk Circus (Dutch), meaning "Royal Circus", is an entertainment venue in Brussels, Belgium.
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 View from the stage | |
| Address | Onderrichtsstraat / Rue de l'Enseignement 81 |
|---|---|
| Location | B-1000 Brussels, Belgium |
| Coordinates | 50°50′56″N 4°21′58″E |
| Operator | Ancienne Belgique |
| Capacity | 3,500 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1878 |
| Renovated | 1953, 2018 |
| Website | |
| Official website | |
Conceived by the architect Wilhelm Kuhnen, the building has a circular appearance, but in fact is constructed as a regular polygon. It can hold 3,500 spectators, and nowadays is primarily used for live music shows.
History
The Royal Circus was created by the eponymous joint-stock company when the Our Lady of the Snow Quarter was built from 1876 onwards. Architect Wilhelm Khunen designed a building in the shape of a regular polygon on the available plot within the block. The Indian-style hall was rhymed by 20 columns that served as support for a roof truss that was hidden from the eyes of the spectators by a lowered ceiling in the form of a cashmere veil. It was festively opened in 1878 with a show by the "Troupe équestre royale belge Renz". This only permanent circus in Brussels had stalls in the basement that could accommodate more than 110 horses. Water spectacles and horse shows alternated with pantomimes and ballets. Between 1908 and 1914, films were even shown in the hall. In 1920, variety shows were staged. Many years later, in 1953, architect Charles Van Nueten replaced the existing circus with a new complex, this time in a contemporary style.[1]
Since its inception, the Royal Circus has not only hosted countless horse shows and circus displays (Moscow Circus, Bouglione, Holiday on Ice and others), but has also hosted famous artists such as fiddlers Eugène Ysaÿe and Yéhudi Menuhin, Maurice Chevalier, Joséphine Baker, Mistinguette, Charles Trenet, Dalida, Buster Keaton, Gilbert Bécaud, the clown Popov, Louis Armstrong and Maurice Béjart and the Ballet of the 20th century. This very popular spot of Brussels cultural life, owned by the City of Brussels, has undergone a major restoration in 2018.[2] A new team was assembled to manage this event venue. Today, it hosts a variety of stand-ups, dance shows and concerts by artists from all over the world, from Pascal Obispo to Kylie Minogue, and from the Beach Boys to Vanessa Paradis.[3]
References
- "Rondleiding in het gerenoveerde Koninklijk Circus: 'Brussel heeft deze zaal nodig'". www.bruzz.be (in Dutch). 18 September 2018.
- "Concessie voor de bars, kleedkamers en het sanitair in het Koninklijk Circus". www.brussel.be/ (in Dutch). 22 May 2023.
- "KONINKLIJK CIRCUS". ww.cirque-royal-bruxelles.be.
