Théâtre des Martyrs

Théâtre des Martyrs is one of Brussels' leading French-language stages, tucked away next to Place des Martyrs — a square dedicated to the memory of the heroes of the 1830 Belgian Revolution. The solemn atmosphere of the square, with its monument to the fallen insurgents, sets a fitting backdrop for the theatre, which also has an entrance from the adjoining Rue Neuve.

From cinema to derelict ruin

The building's history is far more turbulent than its current elegant appearance suggests. Before it became a theatre, the site housed a cinema known as L'Étoile, accessible from Rue Neuve 53-55. The cinema shut down in the late 1970s, and the interior was subsequently gutted by a fire that sources describe as arson. For years afterward, the building stood empty and increasingly dilapidated in the heart of the city.

The first attempt to bring performing arts back to the site came in 1986, when director Henri Ronse launched the Nouveau Théâtre de Belgique inside the damaged shell. That venture lasted only three years: the building's poor structural condition and safety concerns forced the company to abandon the space, which clearly needed a full reconstruction rather than a patch-up.

Rebuilt from scratch, reopened in 1998

The turning point came at the initiative of Didier Gosuin, then Brussels' regional minister for culture. Under his push, the French Community Commission of the Brussels-Capital Region (CoCoF) funded a complete reconstruction of the hall, designed by architect Michel Verliefden. The rebuilt venue opened its doors in 1998 and has operated as the Théâtre des Martyrs ever since.

An art gallery you walk through before the show

The 1998 reconstruction went well beyond a purely functional auditorium — the public spaces were conceived as showcases for major Belgian artists. The entrance hall is dominated by a monumental fresco by Pierre Alechinsky, titled "Main courante." The foyer features a sculptural installation by Félix Roulin, "Mur, muses et Orphée," while the stage curtain itself was designed by painter Alexandre Obolensky. As a result, visitors pass through what amounts to a small contemporary art collection before ever taking their seats.

The auditorium is decorated in warm reds, giving it an intimate, classic character well suited to traditional dramatic performances while remaining flexible enough for other formats.

What's on today

Théâtre des Martyrs ranks among Brussels' foremost French-language venues and maintains a broad, varied programme — spanning classical drama, contemporary plays, dance, spoken-word poetry, and musical performances. This range allows the theatre to draw audiences looking for traditional repertoire as well as those interested in more experimental staged work, making it a fixture of the city's cultural calendar.

Frequently asked questions

Has the building always been a theatre? No — it originally housed the L'Étoile cinema, which closed in the late 1970s after a fire. The site only became a theatre in 1986, and it has operated in its current, fully rebuilt form since 1998.

Who designed the rebuilt auditorium? The 1998 reconstruction was designed by architect Michel Verliefden, commissioned by the French Community Commission of the Brussels-Capital Region (CoCoF).

What artworks can visitors see inside? The entrance hall features a fresco by Pierre Alechinsky, the foyer holds a sculpture by Félix Roulin, and the stage curtain was designed by Alexandre Obolensky.

Where exactly is the theatre located? On Place des Martyrs in central Brussels, with an additional entrance from Rue Neuve.