Figurentheater De Maan

Figurentheater De Maan — known since 2015 under its full name Beeldsmederij De Maan — is a puppet and figure theatre in the historic centre of Mechelen, Belgium, just a short walk from Sint-Romboutskathedraal. The venue occupies Minderbroedersgang 3, inside a restored heritage complex that once served as the Heilige Geestkapel (Holy Spirit Chapel) and Heilige Geesthuis (Holy Spirit almshouse).

Where does the theatre's tradition come from?

De Maan's roots go back well before its current home. The organisation carries forward the legacy of the Mechels Stadspoppentheater, founded in 1948 by puppetry pioneer Jef Contryn. His work laid the foundation for professional figure theatre in Mechelen, blending craftsmanship with storytelling aimed at both children and adults.

How did the organisation evolve over the decades?

In 1965, a group operating under the name Hopla entered into a partnership with the city of Mechelen, which led to the creation of the Mechels Stadspoppentheater (MSPT). A further turning point came in 1984, when the institution moved from amateur city theatre status to fully professional operation.

Louis Contryn, son of founder Jef Contryn, continued the family tradition by taking over artistic leadership. Willem Verheyden then served as director from 1995 to 2013, shaping the theatre's programme for nearly two decades. In July 2013, Stef De Paepe was appointed general and artistic director, guiding the organisation through its next chapter, including the relocation and rebranding that followed.

Why did the name change to Beeldsmederij De Maan?

In 2015, alongside the move into the newly restored Heilige Geestkapel building, the organisation officially changed its name from Figurentheater De Maan to Beeldsmederij De Maan. The new name reflects a broader scope of activity: not just a traditional puppet theatre, but also a creative workshop — "beeldsmederij" translates roughly as a "forge of figures/images" — where new puppets and stage designs are conceived and built.

Who runs the theatre and how is it funded?

De Maan operates as a non-profit organisation (vzw) supported by three layers of public funding: the Flemish government, the city of Mechelen, and the province of Antwerp. This structure allows the theatre to sustain a consistent artistic programme aimed at audiences of all ages, from the very young to the elderly.

What should visitors know before going?

Because of its central location, De Maan is easy to combine with a visit to Sint-Romboutskathedraal and a stroll through Mechelen's historic old town. The building itself — a former chapel and almshouse restored by the architecture firm Beeck Hermans — is worth seeing on its own merits, as an example of heritage religious and charitable architecture repurposed for cultural use.

Frequently asked questions

What is Figurentheater / Beeldsmederij De Maan? It's a puppet and figure theatre in Mechelen that continues a tradition dating back to 1948, operating today under the name Beeldsmederij De Maan.

Where exactly is it located? At Minderbroedersgang 3 in central Mechelen, inside the former Holy Spirit chapel and almshouse buildings, close to Sint-Romboutskathedraal.

Since when has it been in its current building? Since 2015, following restoration work carried out by architecture firm Beeck Hermans.

Who leads the theatre today? Stef De Paepe has been general and artistic director since July 2013.

How is the theatre funded? As a non-profit organisation, it receives support from the Flemish government, the city of Mechelen, and the province of Antwerp.