movie theatre, theatre and opera, Antwerp

Metropolis is a big movietheater with over 20 movies playing at the same time. Comfortable seats. Subtitles in dutch and french. A big parkingspace with free parking!
Try nachos with warm cheesesauce instead of popcorn! It's delicious!

If you like opera you might want to try to visit
the 'Vlaamse opera'. It is said that the Antwerp
opera brings high quality performances.
They got concerts : classical music with
great international know singers or the real
thing.

Now , I just enjoy it once in a while. I don't know
a thing about quality. But I love the atmosphere
in the Operahouse.


The Antwerp opera is often sold out...FAST.
But you can always give it a try. Just call the
reservation office and pick up the tickets .
+32-(0)3- 202 10 11
Yes , it is also expensive..
Think about 70 euro for a nice seat ,
and 4 euro for a place where you can see nothing.
A little warning...they also charge you
administrative costs , even if you pick them up
yourself.

Dress Code:
Antwerp has a very nice opera house. It was
build turn of the century , beautiful balconies ,
such a nice ceiling.(enlarge the picture)

People really dress up to go to the opera.
That is not so in all the cities in Belgium..
If you like to wear those 1920's dress and pearls ,
go ahead. If your eyebrows are extravagant long ,
enjoy and fit in. If you love to wear moroccan
moccasins with silver on top and gold ,
feel free. And if you 80 and want to wear
pink mascara , that is just great.
But dress up a bit...and watch the people in
the bar in between chapters.

Antwerp used to be full of movie
theaters..Now there are only a few left.

UGC is is the largest city cinema
worldwide with 17 rooms.

A good location , some restaurants in the
neighbourhood and we don't like the movies
to be dubbed. We love them in their original
language...so if you like...

The hours when the movies start are a bit
unconventional...try to find out in advance.
(zone 03 is a good guide , or take the folder
in cafes and restaurants)

This place is closed for now...bankrupt. Quit sure it will ope again soon. For now it is only open an hour before and after a play in the opera and only for people with a ticket.

Since 1907 this is the café of the flemish
opera. It is quit large and unique in Antwerp
and people still come here before and after a play.

Time has stood still in this place. Just like a
hunderd years ago marble pillars support the
spacious arches. Soft music on the
background...In the middle of each vault the
God Dyonisos keeps an eye on you.

Often visited by people alone who want to
read - because you got a lot of privacy around
here...and you can still feel the vibrant city
outside.

Dress Code: On the evening of an opera you will feel
more comfartable when dressed up a bit...

On a lazy afternoon...who cares.

Everybody knows to find broadway
when travelling to New York...no?

Well I've got some stunning figures for you.

In ANTWERP every year there are about 90
theater companies active.Together they play
an amazing more then 1500 plays.
And that are more then 180 different pieces.

What about that?

I'm afraid that most of them are in Dutch and
not that accesable for foreigners. But often
plays are dance performances or without
words.

We got a sort of theater district. Within
walking distance from the theaterplein
(what's in a name) 7 large theaters are
situated.

Please check the calendar , ask vt'rs if you
are interested in one thing or another.

(sources : De morgen , sat 13/9/2003)

In the picture you can see a puppet of theater
FROE FROE. They travel with their plays
around the country. Most plays are
interactive , people , video , puppet
performances and are quit amazing. For big
and little children.

This multiplex movie theater opened its doors about 5 years ago. Its located in the heart of the city. All modern comfort is here for an optimized movie expierience. The first shows are at 11am.

Metropolis, a cinematographic multiplex just outside the city centre, at Groenendaallaan 394, 2030 Antwerpen.
Capacity: 8690 seats (smallest theatre 224 seats; largest theatre 748 seats)
No. of screens: 24 (smallest 14mx6m ; largest 23mx10m)

Metropolis is part of the Kinepolis complexes. It is under very strict surveyance: noise isolation, seats. You can have a guided tour behind the scenery. Included are: a piece of cake and a cup of coffee and a movie of your choice.
I learned that the filmcanvas is perforated to let the sound from the boxes behind it, coming through and that if you ever damage it, it will cost you a fortune! 1800 Euro per square meter! and the smallest one is 9 on 14 meter! so start counting!
Behind the casieres, no filming nor photographing was allowed.
So just imagine the stars in the floor of the film crews that came with the whole crew for a premiere of their movie.
Or imagine the shape of the whole complex, the details used (windows, signalisation, lights, railing, material used, colours used), that all remind of a ship.
It is too complicated to tell it in detail but if you ever go see a movie with me I will show you!

Just outside Antwerp you will find the worlds 2nd biggest movie theatre complex Metropolis. In capacity it is only beated by a similar movie complex in Spain.
Online ticket reservation possible.
Special twin seats at the back available for romantic movie visit. This is at extra cost but you get a softdrink and popcorn with it, and you can get those without queueing if you walk the red carpet line. (the personal will explain what it is). Be careful however if you have other intentions then watching the movie... for those who like to hide in the upper corner: at one corner there is a hidden door where the technician will check the sound. You will not hear him, you will not see him, but he sure can see you!
Just a little warning for those who might become too romantic and can't wait till the movie is over! `-)

For those who want to see concert or operas, Antwerp is the ideal place. Go to the Flemish Opera (Vlaamse Opera), located near the Rooseveltplaats OR the KNS / Bourla theatre near the Meir.
The Bourla theatre is housed in a unique and beautiful building, worth seeing. In the neighbourhood you'll find some nice pubs.