Capitole Gent

Capitole Gent is Ghent’s 1,500-capacity seated theatre, housed behind a triangular-pediment neoclassical façade dating from 1850. Its defining twist sits inside: architect Geo Henderick built a purpose-made sound-cinema hall behind that frontage in 1932, giving current pop, rock and orchestral bills an Art Deco-era setting conceived around acoustics and visibility. The result is a formal theatre experience with the scale for musicals, comedy, dance and concerts.

Cinema palace, then Camelot

The Capitole’s modern performance story begins with sound film. Henderick’s 1932 hall included a large stage, lighting and an 11-metre stage tower, so variety acts could share the building with film screenings; the venue’s own history records appearances by Josephine Baker, Tino Rossi and Johnny Hallyday among its earlier guests. Cinema exhibition ended here in 1986, leaving the hall empty for 14 years. Geert Allaert of Music Hall then acquired the venue and its neighbouring building, converting the complex for live performance. On 28 October 2001, Capitole reopened with the premiere of the musical Camelot. Subsequent works enlarged the stage, added backstage space, VIP rooms and bars, then installed a 48-fly theatrical tower in 2008 and an acoustic orchestra pit for up to 64 musicians in 2009. A contemporary review of the reopening described a dry theatre acoustic that retained old elements within the new build.

A seated, promoter-led night out

Capitole presents a broad ticketed programme: classical music, pop and rock sit alongside theatre, cabaret, comedy, dance, ballet and children’s shows. The auditorium uses fixed theatre seating divided into Jardin, Center and Cour sections, across the parterre and balconies; each organiser sets the price map for its event. Arrive with time for the foyer: the Koepelbar and ground- and first-floor stands serve drinks and snacks, and doors usually open an hour before showtime.