Théâtre Le Public

Théâtre Le Public is one of Brussels' most notable theatre venues, located in Saint-Josse-ten-Noode inside the former buildings of the Aerts brewery. The stage came to life on November 9, 1994, when the company founded by Patricia Ide and Michel Kacenelenbogen opened its doors to the public.

How did the theatre come into being?

Théâtre Le Public grew out of the passion and ambitious dreams of two artists. Ide and Kacenelenbogen put their own personal funds into converting the disused industrial brewery building into a performance space. The architectural and scenographic transformation was carried out by Luc D'Haenens, who combined the roles of set designer and architect. The bold, largely self-financed venture paid off quickly — within just a few seasons, the theatre had carved out a solid place for itself on the Belgian theatrical scene.

What defines the programming at Théâtre Le Public?

From the outset, the venue set out to bring together different theatrical traditions and schools of performance under one roof. Its programming blends contemporary work with major texts from the classical repertoire, with considerable attention given to authors, actors, and artists connected to the local Belgian scene. This mix of experimentation and established dramatic writing has helped the theatre build a broad and loyal audience over the decades.

How has the venue evolved over the years?

Théâtre Le Public has grown steadily both organizationally and in terms of infrastructure since its modest beginnings in 1994. It now operates three performance halls within its own building, allowing several productions to run in parallel and giving the company flexibility in how it structures a season's repertoire. In certain seasons, the company also stages productions in additional external venues, a sign of how much the operation has expanded since its early days in the converted brewery.

Where exactly is the theatre located?

Théâtre Le Public sits in the municipality of Saint-Josse-ten-Noode (Sint-Joost-ten-Node), one of the smallest yet most densely populated municipalities in the Brussels-Capital Region. The surrounding area, shaped by former industrial sites repurposed for cultural use, gives this part of the city a distinct industrial-meets-artistic character.

Frequently asked questions

When was Théâtre Le Public founded? The theatre officially opened on November 9, 1994.

Who founded the theatre? It was founded by Patricia Ide and Michel Kacenelenbogen.

What building houses the theatre? The former Aerts brewery buildings in Saint-Josse, architecturally adapted by Luc D'Haenens.

How many halls does the theatre have? Théâtre Le Public has three performance halls, and in some seasons it also uses additional venues outside its own building.

What kind of repertoire does the theatre present? It combines contemporary creation with major works from the classical repertoire, with a strong focus on authors and artists tied to the Belgian theatrical scene.