Royal Toone Theatre

The Royal Theatre Toone is the last survivor of Brussels' once-thriving tradition of rod-marionette puppet theatres, tucked away at the end of two narrow alleyways off rue du Marché aux Herbes/Grasmarkt, just a short walk from the Grand-Place. Finding the entrance takes a bit of effort, and that sense of discovery is part of what makes a visit memorable.

Where does the name Toone come from?

The theatre was founded around 1830 by Antoine Genty, nicknamed "Toone" — a Brussels-dialect diminutive of the name Antoine. That nickname stuck as the name of the whole enterprise, and every director since has taken on the stage name Toone with a corresponding number, forming an unbroken lineage of puppet-masters. The current director is Nicolas Géal, known as Toone VIII.

Why puppets instead of a conventional stage?

The theatre's origins are tied to the political climate of the early 19th century. At a time when authorities restricted larger theatrical venues, wary that crowds gathering there might fuel independence sentiment, puppet shows offered a way around those controls — they could be staged in cellars and backyards, out of official view. The format quickly caught on: in the 19th century, particularly in the working-class Marolles district, Brussels is said to have had around fifty such puppet theatres. Audiences were largely working people who could not afford tickets to grand opera houses, and the puppet plays reflected their own everyday lives back at them.

What does today's visitor find?

The theatre has occupied its current premises since 1966, where the building also houses a tavern and a small puppetry museum alongside the performance space. The repertoire draws on theatrical and literary classics reworked for puppets, including staples like "Romeo and Juliet," "The Three Musketeers," and Nativity plays. The collection holds roughly 1,400 rod marionettes, many of which are still used in performances today.

What sets Toone apart from Brussels' other attractions?

Unlike a museum display of puppets behind glass, the Royal Theatre Toone is a living stage — its craft is passed down through successive generations of puppet-masters rather than simply preserved as an artifact. That continuity is what makes the place distinctive: it is the sole surviving example of a form of entertainment that was once a genuine mass phenomenon across the city.

Frequently asked questions

Is Toone a museum or a working theatre? It is an active theatre with a regular performance schedule, not just a historical exhibit, although a small puppet museum operates on the same premises.

How do you get to the theatre? The entrance sits off rue du Marché aux Herbes/Grasmarkt, close to the Grand-Place, reached through two narrow alleyways leading to the back of the buildings.

Where does the name Toone come from? It's a Brussels-dialect diminutive of Antoine, after founder Antoine Genty, and every subsequent director has taken on the name as a stage title.

How many puppets are in the collection? Around 1,400 rod marionettes, some of which are still brought out for performances.