Toneelschuur

Toneelschuur is the former name of Schuur, an arts venue in Haarlem, the Netherlands. The institution operates as a combined theatre and cinema rather than as a conventional single-purpose playhouse. Its facilities comprise two theatres and two cinemas, giving the organisation a mixed programme spanning live performance and film. The cinema programme is oriented toward alternative and art-house material rather than Hollywood blockbusters, while the theatre function provides a platform for stage work and related performing-arts activity. The venue has operated from more than one Haarlem location. Before the opening of its current building, it was based at Smedestraat 23. The present complex at Lange Begijnestraat 9 was created through a major redevelopment carried out between 1998 and 2003 as part of the Appelaar plan. Its design was produced by Dutch cartoonist Joost Swarte in 1996, with architectural support from Mecanoo. The project is notable in Dutch architectural history because it was reportedly the first building in the Netherlands designed by a cartoonist. The resulting venue gave Toneelschuur a purpose-built cultural home and linked its public identity to distinctive visual and architectural design. The organisation was known as Toneelschuur until 1 September 2021, when it adopted the name Schuur. The renaming reflects the institution's broader role beyond theatre: although theatre remains central to its identity, the venue also presents cinema and functions as a wider arts and cultural centre. In historical and brand terms, Toneelschuur therefore remains the name associated with the institution's pre-2021 identity, while Schuur is its current public name. Leadership has included Frans Lommerse, who managed the theatre until 2018. He was succeeded by Marelie van Rongen. Publicly available reference material does not establish the organisation's founding year, legal ownership, corporate structure, financial scale or listing status. The venue is locally rooted in Haarlem and nationally situated within the Dutch theatre and arthouse-cinema landscape.

Toneelschuur is the former name of Schuur, a theatre and cinema venue in Haarlem, Netherlands. The institution developed as a cultural venue serving the city and the surrounding Dutch arts audience, with a programme that combines live theatre and film. Unlike a mainstream multiplex, its cinema offer is associated with alternative films and does not focus on Hollywood blockbusters. Its theatre facilities give the organisation a second major programming identity, making it a multidisciplinary arts centre rather than solely a cinema or a conventional repertory theatre. The venue was formerly located at Smedestraat 23 in Haarlem. Between 1998 and 2003, it was relocated and established in its current building at Lange Begijnestraat 9 as part of the Appelaar redevelopment plan. The design was created in 1996 by Joost Swarte, a Dutch cartoonist, assisted by the architecture practice Mecanoo. The project has architectural significance because it was described as the first building in the Netherlands designed by a cartoonist. The building's design became an important part of the institution's public character and helped provide a distinctive setting for its theatre, cinema and cultural activities. The completed complex contains two theatres and two cinemas. This configuration supports parallel programming and allows the organisation to present stage productions alongside specialist film screenings. The venue's combined format also explains the later evolution of its name and public positioning. Until 1 September 2021, the institution was known as Toneelschuur. It then changed its name to Schuur, a shorter identity that encompasses the organisation's wider programme rather than foregrounding theatre alone. Frans Lommerse served as manager until 2018, when Marelie van Rongen succeeded him. Beyond these leadership details, the available reference material does not provide a documented founding date, founder, ownership structure or detailed chronology of individual productions. The institution's continuing website uses the Schuur name, while Toneelschuur remains an important historical brand name for the same Haarlem venue.

• 2021

  Toneelschuur becomes Schuur

  [1]Schuur (theatre)en.wikipedia.org

  The organisation adopted the name Schuur on 1 September 2021.

• 2018

  Change of management

  [1]Schuur (theatre)en.wikipedia.org

  Marelie van Rongen succeeded Frans Lommerse as manager.

• 2003

  Current building completed

  [1]Schuur (theatre)en.wikipedia.org

  The current theatre and cinema complex at Lange Begijnestraat 9 was completed after the redevelopment period.

• 1998

  Appelaar redevelopment begins

  [1]Schuur (theatre)en.wikipedia.org

  Work on the current venue formed part of the Appelaar redevelopment plan.

• 1996

  Design prepared for the new venue

  [1]Schuur (theatre)en.wikipedia.org

  Joost Swarte designed the building that would become the venue's new home, with assistance from Mecanoo.

A multidisciplinary Haarlem arts venue combining theatre with alternative and art-house cinema in an architecturally distinctive building.

• Live performing arts

  Theatre programme

  The venue's theatre programme is presented across two theatre spaces. Available reference material identifies theatre as one of the institution's core functions, although it does not provide a complete catalogue of resident companies, genres, productions or commissioning activity.

• Cinema

  Alternative cinema programme

  Schuur operates two cinemas that focus on alternative and art-house films. The programme is differentiated from commercial multiplex exhibition and is described as excluding Hollywood blockbusters from its core offer.

• Arts venue · 2003

  Cultural venue spaces

  The building at Lange Begijnestraat 9 combines two theatres and two cinemas in one cultural complex. These spaces support the institution's dual identity as a performing-arts venue and specialist cinema.

• 2021

  Adoption of the Schuur nameStrategy

  Background

  The institution had been known as Toneelschuur, but its activities extended beyond theatre to include two cinemas and a broader arts-centre function.

  Action taken

  The organisation changed its public name to Schuur on 1 September 2021.

  Aftermath

  Schuur became the current name, while Toneelschuur remains the historical name associated with the venue.

  Source

• 1998

  Move into a purpose-built theatre and cinema complexStrategy

  Background

  The former venue at Smedestraat 23 was replaced through the Appelaar redevelopment programme in Haarlem.

  Action taken

  The organisation participated in the move to the building at Lange Begijnestraat 9, designed by Joost Swarte with Mecanoo.

  Aftermath

  The resulting complex, completed in 2003, provided two theatres and two cinemas and strengthened the venue's multidisciplinary identity.

  Source

• 2021

  Toneelschuur renamed Schuur[1]Schuur (theatre)en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The Haarlem venue formerly known as Toneelschuur adopted the name Schuur on 1 September 2021, reflecting its combined theatre and cinema identity.

• 2018

  Marelie van Rongen succeeded Frans Lommerse as manager[1]Schuur (theatre)en.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  Marelie van Rongen became manager of the venue after Frans Lommerse's period in the role ended.

• 2003

  Current Haarlem venue completed after Appelaar redevelopment[1]Schuur (theatre)en.wikipedia.org

  Other

  A redevelopment programme associated with the Appelaar plan produced the venue's current building at Lange Begijnestraat 9 after work carried out from 1998 to 2003.

1. 1Schuur (theatre)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Schuur official websiteschuur.nl