Les Tanneurs

Théâtre Les Tanneurs is an independent theatre venue in the heart of Brussels, on rue des Tanneurs, dedicated to contemporary performing arts — blending theatre, dance, and visual arts under one roof for artists and audiences alike.

Where did this stage come from?

The story begins in 1973, when Philippe van Kessel and Stanislas Defize founded Atelier Sainte-Anne, a café-theatre on rue Sainte-Anne in the Sablon district. From the start, the idea was to create a stage open to experimentation and emerging talent, distinct from the city's larger institutional theatres.

Why did it move to rue des Tanneurs?

In 1984, the Atelier relocated to a new address at 75-77 rue des Tanneurs. The new premises housed administrative offices as well as a restaurant, Le Petit Chien, which quickly became an informal meeting point for the artists, directors, and performers connected to the venue. Two years later, in 1986, a multipurpose hall was built for both theatre performances and art exhibitions — this programmatic flexibility would go on to define the venue for decades.

How did its artistic identity evolve?

From 1989, under the direction of Serge Rangoni, Atelier Sainte-Anne began combining theatre, dance, visual arts, exhibitions, and artist encounters in its programme. Promoting young Belgian artistic talent became a core priority, and the venue effectively functioned as a laboratory for creators still building their place in the world of performing arts.

What happened in the 1990s?

In March 1996, then-minister Charles Picqué cut public funding for Atelier Sainte-Anne, forcing the institution to suspend its activities. The building on rue des Tanneurs was subsequently bought by the City of Brussels and transferred to the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles. This closed one chapter, but it was not the end of the venue.

How did today's Théâtre Les Tanneurs come to be?

After the building changed hands, it underwent extensive renovation, and in 1999 Geneviève Druet took over as director. It was then that the venue adopted the name it still carries today — Théâtre Les Tanneurs. From that point on, the stage has consistently positioned itself as a space dedicated to contemporary creation, open to new forms of theatre and dance.

What should visitors know about Théâtre Les Tanneurs?

The theatre sits in central Brussels, in a district once tied to the tanning trade — hence the name "Tanneurs" (tanners). Its programme focuses on contemporary, often experimental productions by Belgian and international artists. The venue functions both as a performance hall and as an "artists' house" — a working space for creation, not merely a showcase stage.

Frequently asked questions

What was Théâtre Les Tanneurs originally? It began as Atelier Sainte-Anne, a café-theatre founded in 1973 on rue Sainte-Anne in the Sablon district.

When did it become Théâtre Les Tanneurs? The venue took on its current name and identity in 1999, after the building was renovated and Geneviève Druet became its director.

Why did the theatre suspend activities in the 1990s? In 1996, public funding was cut, forcing the institution to stop operating; the building was then acquired by the City of Brussels.

What kind of art can visitors see there? The programme centers on contemporary theatre and dance, along with visual art exhibitions, with an emphasis on experimental work and Belgian artists.