Theater Efteling (or "Efteling Theatre" in English) is a

theatre Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, usually actors to present experiences of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place, often a Stage (theatre), stage. The performe ...

in the

amusement park An amusement park is a park that features various attractions, such as rides and games, and events for entertainment purposes. A theme park is a type of amusement park that bases its structures and attractions around a central theme, often fea ...

Efteling Efteling () is a fantasy-themed amusement park in Kaatsheuvel, the Netherlands. The attractions reflect elements from ancient European myths and legends, fairy tales, fables, and folklore. The park was opened on May 31, 1952. It evolved from a ...

the Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

. It was designed by

Ton van de Ven Ton van de Ven (1 January 1944 – 16 September 2015) was a Dutch industrial designer. He is best known as the creative director at the Efteling theme park. Van de Ven was born in Eindhoven, Netherlands, where he also studied at the Design Acade ...

and opened its doors in 2002.

History and details

Theater de Efteling is one of the five big theatres in the

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

. Designed by van de Ven, it matches the typical

style. The surroundings consist of old Dutch warehouses. In addition to the theatre facilities, the building holds a large

foyer A lobby is a room in a building used for entry from the outside. Sometimes referred to as a foyer, entryway, reception area or entrance hall, it is often a large room or complex of rooms (in a theatre, opera house, concert hall, showroom, cine ...

and a restaurant. The total building costs added up to €20 million.

Shows

During the theatre's first nine years, shows were performed here four times a day from 2 pm onward at 90-minute intervals: * ''The Wondrous Efteling Show'' (or "De Wonderlijke Eftelingshow" in Dutch) (2002–2004) * ''Pardoes he park mascot">mascot.html" ;"title="he park mascot">he park mascotand the Children Winter Wonder Party'' ("Pardoes en het Kinder Winter Wonderfeest" in Dutch) (Winter Efteling 2002-2003) * ''Efteling Fairy Tale Show'' (“Efteling Sprookjesshow" in Dutch) (2005–2006) - show commemorating the 200th anniversary of Hans Christian Andersen * ''Tika’s Birthday'' ("Tika is Jarig" in Dutch) (2007–2008) From 2011 on, these shows will be separate from the theater in the park's new show facility Ravelijn. Also, every year there is a large musical production in the theatre (not combined with park admission). Large productions thus far: * ''

Sleeping Beauty "Sleeping Beauty" (, or ''The Beauty Sleeping in the Wood''; , or ''Little Briar Rose''), also titled in English as ''The Sleeping Beauty in the Woods'', is a fairy tale about a princess curse, cursed by an evil fairy to suspended animation in fi ...

'' ("Doornroosje" in Dutch) (November 2003 - February 2004) * ''

The Little Mermaid "The Little Mermaid" (), sometimes translated in English as "The Little Sea Maid", is a fairy tale written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. Originally published in 1837 as part of a collection of fairy tales for children, the story foll ...

'' ("De Kleine Zeemeermin" in Dutch) (November 2004 - March 2005) * ''Tita the Wizard'' (" TiTa Tovenaar" in Dutch) (November 2005 - March 2006) * ''Annie'' (November 2006 - March 2007) * ''Cinderella'' ("Assepoester" in Dutch) (November 2007 – March 2008) * ''Fairy Tree: The Musical'' ("Sprookjesboom: De Musical" in Dutch) (August 2009 - April 2010) * ''The Sound of Music'' (November 2009 - January 2010) * ''Kruimeltje'' (November 2010 - May 11) * ''Droomvlucht'' (October 2011 - April 2012) * ''Fairy Tree: The Musical, a gi-ga-gantic adventure'' ("Sprookjesboom: De musical, Een gi-ga-gantisch avontuur" in Dutch) (September 2012 - February 2013) * ''Sandman'' ("Klaas Vaak" in Dutch) (September 2013 - February 2014) * ''Fairy Tree: The Musical, a wonderful music party'' ("Sprookjesboom: De musical, een wonderlijk muziekfeest" in Dutch) (September 2014 - March 2015) * ''Pinocchio'' (September 2015 - March 2016) * ''Puss In Boots'' (September 2016 - April 2017) * ''De Sprookjessprokkelaar'' (September 2017 - April 2018) * ''Caro'' (September 2018 - ongoing (interrupted by the

COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands The COVID-19 pandemic in the Netherlands has resulted in confirmed cases of COVID-19 and deaths. The virus reached the Netherlands on 27 February 2020, when its first COVID-19 case was confirmed in Tilburg. It involved a 56-year-old Dutchman ...

))

References

External links

Company information

Fansite
{{Efteling Efteling Theatres in the Netherlands Renaissance Revival architecture in the Netherlands