Le Rideau

What Le Rideau does

Le Rideau de Bruxelles Asbl is a private non-profit performing arts theater based in Ixelles, Brussels, at Rue Goffart 7a. Founded in 1979 by Claude Etienne and Denyse Periez and carrying over 80 years of theatrical history at the venue, the theater presents contemporary creation across theater, dance, and performance for a general Brussels audience, with dedicated programming for schools, emerging playwrights, and partner institutions. It operates a single main performance space supplemented by the on-site Le Patio du Rideau bar (operated by subsidiary SRL Le Patio du Rideau) and produces or co-produces roughly 14-18 main productions per season, plus the festivals Kunstenfestivaldesarts, CRUSH, Festival Noël au Théâtre, and Lis-moi tout.

The underlying technical platform is conventional theater infrastructure: ticketing runs on the Utick platform (shop.utick.net) accessed via the company's website, with in-person and telephone box office service. There is no proprietary software product; technology investment centers on the renovated 2019 venue, a Vimeo presence for performance documentation, and social/digital channels (Facebook, Instagram, email newsletter, RTBF/Le Soir media partnerships). Writing-development infrastructure is a key non-physical asset, anchored by La Liseuse (a shared reading committee with Le Vilar), Lundis en coulisse (with 13+ institutional co-producers including UCLouvain, IAD, ARTS2, INSAS, KVS, SACD), and the Lis-moi tout festival.

The revenue model blends earned and public income. Ticket sales use a Pay What You Can structure (€8 minimum, €16 suggested, up to €32 in pre-sale or on the day; €5 student/children in performing arts; €1.25 via Article 27), complemented by co-production and delegated production fees from partner venues. A significant portion of the operating budget is covered by recurring subsidies from Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, Commune d'Ixelles, COCOF, Loterie Nationale, Wallonie-Bruxelles International, and WBTD, with production-level funding supported by Belgian Tax Shelter mechanisms (ING, Inver Tax Shelter, federal program) and Sabam. Customers are predominantly individual theater-goers in Brussels, with institutional segments comprising schools, emerging artists, and partner theaters in the Belgian and francophone European co-production circuit.

Name

Le Rideau

Legal name

Le Rideau de Bruxelles Asbl

Website

https://lerideau.brussels

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Le Rideau de Bruxelles Asbl is a Brussels-based non-profit performing arts theater that programs ~14-18 contemporary creations per season across theater, dance, and performance for the general public, schools, emerging playwrights, and partner theaters, supported by public subsidies and a Pay What You Can ticketing model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Ixelles

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Ticket sales (billetterie): Primary revenue stream from individual ticket sales. Le Rideau uses the Pay What You Can pricing model, with a minimum of €8 and a suggested price of €16, scaling up to €32 in pre-sale and €10–€32 on the day of performance. The theater also sells tickets for partner festivals and co-produced shows.
2. Public subsidies and institutional funding: The theater receives regular subsidies from the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, with additional support from the Commune d'Ixelles, COCOF, Loterie Nationale, and various federal and community cultural bodies (Wallonie-Bruxelles International, WB Théâtre/Danse, Centre des Arts scéniques). These represent a significant portion of the operating budget.
3. Tax Shelter and private sponsorship: The theater benefits from Belgian Tax Shelter mechanisms and direct sponsorship from ING, Tax Shelter du Gouvernement Fédéral Belge, and Inver Tax Shelter, as well as Sabam support. These fiscal incentive programs allow private capital to support theater productions.
4. Bar and event catering (Le Patio du Rideau): Le Patio du Rideau is an independent Horeca (hospitality) business operated by SRL Le Patio du Rideau within the theater building. It serves audiences before and after performances and hosts private events, generating supplementary revenue. The bar also supports community engagement.
5. Co-production and delegated production fees: Le Rideau serves as producing partner or delegated producer for many co-productions with other Belgian and international theaters. As production deleguée, it may receive fees, cost coverage, or share in touring revenue from partner venues.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Le Rideau is a Brussels-based contemporary performing arts theater that produces and presents a season of original theater, dance, and performance works each year. It operates a main venue at Rue Goffart 7a in Ixelles, runs multiple festivals (Festival Noël au théâtre, CRUSH, Kunstenfestivaldesarts, Lis-moi tout), and applies a Pay What You Can pricing model to make performances accessible. The theater functions as both a producer and co-producer of new works, supporting emerging and established artists.

Product overview

Le Rideau est un théâtre bruxellois de création contemporaine offrant une saison de spectacles diversifiée (théâtre, danse, performance), des festivals (Festival Noël au théâtre, CRUSH, Kunstenfestivaldesarts), le dispositif Pay What You Can pour l'accessibilité, des ateliers de médiation culturelle, et le Lab publishes des contenus multimedia. L'institution s'affirme comme lieu d'accueil et de création, avec une programmation ouverte aux artistes émergents et établis de Belgique et de l'international.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RTBFcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBroadcasting partner of Le Rideau, providing media coverage and promotional support for theater programming.
• Le SoircoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPrint and digital media partner providing press coverage and promotional visibility for theater events.
• Centre des Arts scéniquescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports touring and circulation of productions from Brussels theaters to wider networks.
• Le Vilar (Louvain-la-Neuve)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey co-production partner. Le Vilar and Le Rideau jointly produce multiple shows per season, share the La Liseuse reading committee, co-host Lundis en coulisse, and copresent at the Lis-moi tout festival. Co-producing partner for 'Le groupe de l\'Ouest lointain' (26*27).
• Théâtre National Wallonie-BruxellescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Brussels co-production partner. Co-producer of BAQÂ', Et nous, Cassandre, Portrait de Rita. Partner in the CRUSH biennial festival and Festival Noël au Théâtre.
• Théâtre des TanneurscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner and partner in the CRUSH biennial festival with Le Rideau, Théâtre National, and Varia.
• Théâtre VariacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner and partner in the CRUSH biennial festival.
• Mars - Mons arts de la scènecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner. Co-producer of Cassandre, Rire (pour en finir avec soi-même), and the J.O. project.
• La Coop asbl and Shelter ProdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction structure partners. Appear as co-producer on numerous shows including Et nous, 5 secondes, GENE, and Cassandre.
• Théâtre de LiègecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProduction delegated partner for That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles. Co-production partner in the Belgian theater network.
• La BalsamineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of Rire (pour en finir avec soi-même). Part of the Brussels theater ecosystem.
• KunstenfestivaldesartscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor international contemporary performing arts festival held annually in Brussels in May. Le Rideau serves as a venue and co-producer for the 32nd edition (2026).
• Festival Noël au Théâtre (CTEJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Christmas theater festival for young audiences held at Le Rideau and 10+ other Brussels venues. Organized by CTEJ (Chambre des Théâtres pour l'Enfance et la Jeunesse). Le Rideau is a venue and partner.
• atelier210coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrussels venue co-presenting multiple productions with Le Rideau including That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles and dyke injection. Partner in the Brussels Pay What You Can network alongside Le Rideau.
• Bibliothèque d'Ixelles (BiblioXL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIxelles public library partners with Le Rideau for literary events including Le souffle des mots and other reading/writing programs bridging literature and theater.
• Le Quartier du Rideau asblminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNeighborhood association of local merchants in the Rue Goffart area. Partners with Le Rideau for the annual opening fete and ongoing community engagement activities.
• Centre des Écritures Dramatiques (CED-WB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupports emerging playwrights and dramatic writing in the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles. Associated with La Liseuse reading committee.
• Habemus PapamminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProduction, accompaniment, and diffusion services for theater companies. Appears as diffusion/production partner for Ravage tout court and Portrait de Rita.
• Maison Ravage ASBLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTheater company whose production 'Ravage tout court' is co-produced by Le Rideau as part of the CRUSH festival.
• Kiosk RadiominorGTM or Marketing PartnerBrussels-based online radio station. Partnered with Le Rideau for opening season events in September 2021, including a DJ set in Rue Goffart and live streaming, combining performing arts and music media.
• Lansman ÉditeurminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBelgian theater publisher. Publishes texts by artists associated with Le Rideau, including plays from Le groupe de l'Ouest lointain (Merlin Vervaet, Lansman 2024) and Cassandre (Lansman 2026).
• Archives et Musée de la Littérature (AML)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCultural institution documenting Belgian literary heritage. Partners with Le Rideau on archival and historical programming.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Théâtre de Liège: Major Walloon theater that acts as production delegated partner for Le Rideau (e.g., That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles). Both operate as subsidized contemporary creation theaters within the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles ecosystem with comparable scale and audience.
• La Balsamine: Brussels theater specializing in contemporary creation and co-producer of Rire (pour en finir avec soi-même) with Le Rideau. Similar niche positioning in Brussels contemporary theater ecosystem, with comparable mission around emerging artists.
• Théâtre Varia: Brussels-based contemporary theater and co-production partner in CRUSH biennial alongside Le Rideau. Both venues focus on contemporary creation, serve the Brussels francophone audience, and operate within the same subsidy framework from Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles.
• atelier210: Brussels venue in the Pay What You Can network alongside Le Rideau, co-presenting productions like That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles and dyke injection. Both venues share accessible pricing philosophy and contemporary creation focus at similar institutional scale.
• Le Vilar: Louvain-la-Neuve theater and key co-production partner that jointly produces multiple shows per season with Le Rideau. The two institutions share the La Liseuse reading committee, co-host Lundis en coulisse, and co-present the Lis-moi tout festival, with very similar programming philosophies.
• Théâtre National Wallonie-Bruxelles: Major Brussels francophone theater that co-produces with Le Rideau (BAQÂ', Et nous, Cassandre, Portrait de Rita) and is a CRUSH biennial partner. Both institutions present contemporary creation programming and share similar mission around emerging voices and contemporary repertoire.
• Théâtre Les Tanneurs: Brussels contemporary theater and CRUSH biennial co-founding partner with Le Rideau. Both venues target emerging and established contemporary creators, share risk on new productions, and serve overlapping Brussels audiences.
• Mars - Mons arts de la scène: Mons-based performing arts venue co-producing with Le Rideau on Cassandre, Rire (pour en finir avec soi-même), and the J.O. project. Comparable institutional scale, contemporary creation focus, and Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles subsidizer profile.

Broad incumbents

• KVS (Koninklijke Vlaamse Schouwburg): Brussels-based Flemish-language theater with broader institutional scale, co-producer in the Lundis en coulisse reading initiative with Le Rideau. Comparable programming around contemporary creation but operates across a different linguistic community and a wider portfolio of activities.

Regional players

• Théâtre de Namur: Walloon-based subsidized theater operating within the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles network. Similar mission and subsidy profile to Le Rideau but serving the Namur region rather than Brussels directly.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/rideaubrussels
• Facebookfacebook.com/lerideau.brussels
• Instagraminstagram.com/lerideau.brussels

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Le Rideau