The 10 Best Places for Expats to Get Their Theater-Fix in the Netherlands

Why do we go to the theater? Film and video games might have technologically eclipsed going to see a show. But even without bombastic special effects, the theater’s special, live magic that keeps us coming back for more! The romance. The authentic connection of an audience with actors performing in the moment. The cultural enrichment. They all play a role.

They play that role so well that in the Netherlands, the number of theaters and performances is actually rising to meet demand. In 2020, the country had a remaining 554 theater halls – but that now stands at 584. Meanwhile, annual attendances have also rebounded from the lockdown months. Jumping from 1.2 million to 1.54 million bums in seats in 2023 alone.

That makes the Netherlands a wonderful home for any expat bitten by the theater bug. But in a country of hundreds of theater halls, knowing where to look can still feel daunting. That’s why we at Expat Republic have compiled a list of 10 top theaters, to help you get started.

Amsterdam

Internationaal Theater Amsterdam (ITA)

When you first arrive, however many hours you have accrued on Duolingo, the language barrier will be a worry. But, as one of the most multicultural cities in the world, there are plenty of expat-friendly theatrical options in Amsterdam. For example, the Internationaal Theater Amsterdam.

Playing at the historic Stadsschouwburg Amsterdam on Leidseplein, the ITA’s building alone makes it worth a visit. Designed by Jan Springer and opened in 1894, its modern façade displays Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque features. The Grote Zaal has approximately 900 seats. Either side of the stage are two Avant-scène dressing rooms, decorated with lavish stucco work. Like Pathé Tuschinski.

Running the show, the ITA-ensemble is a globally renowned company. The theater attracts top actors and leading directors from the Netherlands and abroad. Numerous shows produced by ITA-ensemble have gone on to international acclaim. Expats who frequent the West End may remember the shows Oedipus and The Years, for example.

On Thursdays, its performances are surtitled (like subtitles, but above a stage) in English. This not only helps you keep up with the spell-binding on-stage action. It can provide a bridge to help kick off your journey learning Dutch in a live context!

Koninklijk Theater Carré

First opened in 1887, the Royal Theater Carré is a Neo-Renaissance theater on the banks of the river Amstel. It is widely regarded as the most famous Dutch theater now, but it was originally meant as a permanent circus building. Located on Amstel 115, it has approximately 1,700 seats.

Now it is mainly used for musicals, cabaret performances and pop concerts; hosting many famous names over the years. It has featured many shows expats know well – including Cats and West Side Story. Individual stars have included Marlene Dietrich, Kate Bush and Bob The Drag Queen.

This variety means expats can easily find performances in English. At the same time, there are many visually rich shows that don’t rely heavily on the Dutch language.

Amstelveen

Schouwburg Amstelveen

A stone’s throw away in Noord-Holland, you will find the leafy municipality of Amstelveen. Offering easy access to and from Amsterdam, it boasts a more easy-going atmosphere than the hustle and bustle of its larger neighbor.

For expat families looking for a distinct experience from what is on offer in the capital, Schouwburg Amstelveen is a must. From cabaret to opera, dance, and youth performances, the theater aims to supply “something for everyone”. Recent hits have included Country Roads: A Tribute to John Denver, and musical tributes to the Bee Gees and U2.

While many shows are in Dutch, that includes a growing LNP selection. And also, a rising number of events accessible to non-Dutch speakers. These include English-language comedy, dance, and music. The theater’s website features tags outlining which of its events are accessible to audiences who are not native Dutch speakers.

Den Haag

De Schuur

As the home of the Dutch parliament and the International Court of Human Rights, Den Haag (The Hague) is also a hub of international art and culture. As a result, the third-largest city in the country has a wealth of expat-friendly theater at its disposal.

Known as De Toneelschuur (the Theater Barn) until 2021, De Schuur shows you don’t have to take yourself too seriously to access art. Along with two theaters, the venue also boasts two movie theaters. This shows that the classic and the modern can coexist, and cater to the tastes of every customer.

It was renovated around a design from Dutch cartoonist Joost Swarte in 2003. It has since remained a leading contemporary home for Dutch theatre, dance and film. But the venue also caters to internationals, with Language No Problem (LNP) productions. These include physical theatre, visual storytelling, and international touring companies. For example, The Horse of Jenin by Troupe Courage, or BECOMING Body Politics by RIGHTABOUTNOW.

If you would like to know more, the venue’s website features a filter for LNP performances.

Het Nationale Theater

Thanks to Den Haag’s international connections, Het Nationale Theater is able to draw on a rich vein of talent from across the continent. As part of the European Theatre Convention, global performers often grace its stages. And while it also offers up LNP options, it is well known for multi-lingual and visual events.

Performances include English surtitles, particularly for top-tier Dutch productions. And some plays even take place entirely in English. This is more often the case during the events which use the venue, such as the Holland Festival, and The Hague Highlights.

At the same time, ITA performers also tour here. This means that you needn’t be in Amsterdam to witness its leading, expat-friendly performers.

Utrecht

Theater Kikker

As the name might suggest (kikker is the Dutch for frog), Theater Kikker is a quirky and independently-minded venue. It specialises in contemporary performance, modern dance and youth theater.

This last point has been a core component from the very beginning. Founded in 1972 by members of the Utrechtsch Studenten Corps, the theater was once housed in a student society building. Thanks to the international contingent of the city’s student body, a large portion of Theater Kikker’s programming is great for expats. It involves non-verbal, physical or dance-based theater. English-language, Arabic, Turkish, or multilingual performances are also common.

At the same time, Theater Kikker’s mission includes supporting diverse voices. This means performances often engage with migration, ethnicity and global identity. The theater performances are also made by international artists based in the Netherlands.

Now based in the historic Ganzenmarkt, you can also enjoy the chance to take in the broader delights of Utrecht before attending events.

Rotterdam

Theater Rotterdam

Rotterdam’s history has led it to become a proud blend of tradition and innovation. While many theaters date back to the 1800s or further, much of the city had to be rebuilt following its bombardment in the Second World War.

Exemplifying that is the Theater Rotterdam theater company, spread over two locales. The TR25 Schouwburg is a 1,000-seat venue, which resurrected the destroyed original in 1947. And the smaller TR8 William Boothlaan is a stage in the former Ro Theater. Reflecting the city’s wedding of old and new, the venue is now a proud supporter of international theater.

Expats and international students are explicitly welcomed by the theater’s website. The theater puts on performances for non-Dutch speakers right in the center of the Netherlands’ second city. While its program centers heavily on dance performances, it also features plays in English. These include Shakespeare, for any British expats pining for the Bard. And there are shows with surtitles or without any speech.

English-language plays are also common during festivals and events, including De Keuze Festival.

WORM

Further illustrating Rotterdam’s cutting-edge cultural scene is WORM. The organisation says it aims to be “a catalyst for new perspectives and contributes to cheerful polyphony!” And it lives up to that, hosting 500 public activities each year. This fosters an “experimental culture house” for music, film, club, art, talk, community and performance programs. English-language or multi-lingual productions are common among them.

It also offers architecture afficionados with a different point of view from other classical theaters. Consistent with its punk ethos, WORM has operated in the remains of disused office complexes since its founding. First based at the Achterhaven, it now resides in the building once used as the Nederlands Fotomuseum, at the Witte de Withstraat.

Heerlen & Kerkrade

Parkstad Limburg Theaters

There are plenty of international theatrical experiences to be had in the south of the country, too. The Parkstad Limburg is an administrative partnership in Southeast Limburg. While this region is known as being more rural than most, there are still plenty of opportunities for expats to enjoy a night at the theatre there.

Parkstad Limburg Theaters is a grouping of two theaters. In the southeast of the province, Theater Heerlen has three auditoriums. These range from small to large, alongside a foyer which also hosts performances. Theater Kerkrade, meanwhile, is in the east of the province, and features a medium-sized auditorium.

Both venues offer a program that appeals to the multilingual audiences of the wider region. Given their location near Aachen (Germany) and Liège (Belgium), they draw many touring shows. LNP performances such as physical theatre and circus performances take place at both venues. And for families, there are non-verbal or highly visual events, often combining puppetry, music, or clowning. This presents a fun environment for your kids to first engage with the Dutch language too.

Eindhoven

NatLab

Eindhoven is often seen as the seat of innovation in the Netherlands. As the long-time base of technology giant Philips, the city has a long history of doing things differently. It has yielded some truly world-changing inventions over the years. And its theatrical tradition is very much in keeping with that.

Illustrating that to a tee, NatLab is a theater built in a former Philips lab. Now a leading arts venue, NatLab offers an eclectic programme of events. From open-air film screenings in the summer to regular performing arts events.

The venue’s experimental roots also mean it has hosted some ground-breaking premieres in its time. Recent years have seen this include Wagner: De Halve Ring (The Half Ring) by De Warme Winkel. And The Incredible Shrinking Man Meets Mini Miss Miraculous by Club Gewalt.

While not the main focus, NatLab again hosts events in English or as LNP experiences. These include experimental performances, talks, and spoken word poetry. Meanwhile, regular deployment of English surtitles helps to make other shows extra-expat-friendly.

Read Also: Expat-Friendly Theater in the Netherlands

Time to dive in

If you’re an expat looking to engage in a little culture, there is something for you in every corner of your new home. The Netherlands has an array of large and small theaters. And whether classical or avant-garde, they all offer fresh ways to engage with culture – whether you speak Dutch or not.