Dance, Theatre and Opera at Amare in The Hague

This guide is for internationals living in The Hague who want a night of dance, theatre or opera without having to read Dutch theatre listings. It explains what Amare is, where Nederlands Dans Theater and Het Nationale Theater fit in, which shows work well if you don’t speak Dutch, and what suits children.

• Amare: the building and how it works
• Nederlands Dans Theater: the safest bet without Dutch
• Opera and classical music at Amare
• Het Nationale Theater: Dutch drama and how to approach it
• Going with children
• FAQ

Amare: the building and how it works

Amare calls itself a “Podium voor Muziek en Dans”, a stage for music and dance, and it has an English version of its website. The programme covers classical music and opera, pop, global, jazz, dance, musicals and a Youth & Family strand, so you can filter for what you want instead of scrolling through everything.

Not everything costs money. Under the name Open Amare, the building runs free walk-in events. Recent listings include a Social Dance evening with tango, Social Dance: Dancehague, lunch concerts by the School for Young Talent and Het Danspaleis (the “Dance Palace”). These are a good way to get to know the building before you book a full evening, and you don’t need to understand Dutch to join in.

Brasserie Amare serves lunch, drinks and dinner, either before a performance or as a stop in the centre of town. Amare is also marking its 5-year anniversary this season, so expect a few special programmes on top of the regular calendar. The site does not list ticket prices or brasserie opening hours on its main page, so check the individual event page for the current details.

Nederlands Dans Theater: the safest bet without Dutch

If you only see one thing at Amare, make it dance. Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT) is based in The Hague and describes itself as one of the world’s leading contemporary dance companies, with 60 years behind it and an international audience of 150,000 visitors across Europe, America, Asia and Australia. Language is irrelevant here, which makes it the easiest night out for a newcomer.

NDT has two companies. NDT 1 is the main company. NDT 2 also works from The Hague and shows a lot of new work. Both tour, so check whether your chosen date is at home in The Hague or elsewhere in the country.

Current programmes include:

• Out of the stillness (NDT 1): a double bill pairing Gabriela Carrizo’s The missing door, where dance and theatre blend in an unsettling way, with Hofesh Shechter’s Tunnel Vision. NDT’s site lists the run and the Dutch tour dates.
• Blast a universe (NDT 2): a triple bill with two works from the NDT repertoire by Jiří Kylián and Marco Goecke, plus a world premiere by Noé Soulier, followed by a Dutch tour.
• Into the Hairy: a film screening of Sharon Eyal’s work for NDT 1, a lower-key option if you’d like to try her style first.
• Celebrating 5 years Amare: NDT 1 and the Residentie Orkest take you through the Concertzaal, the Danstheater and the public foyers, so you see the building as well as the show. Music by Paul Dukas, Igor Stravinsky, Max Richter and Bianca Bongers.
• Switch ’27: a programme that brings NDT 1 and NDT 2 together. Check NDT’s site for the date.

Some NDT descriptions appear only in Dutch, even on the English site. Don’t let that put you off. The performance itself has no spoken language.

Opera and classical music at Amare

Amare puts classical music and opera together in one category on its programme. Recent listings include Close Up: Haydn & Dvořák, Bach’s motets and Philip Glass’s Waiting for the Barbarians, which had sold out. For ideas on where to start, Amare publishes season recommendations from its classical and opera programmer, Saskia Lankhoorn, and a personal selection from programme director Geesje Prins.

A practical point for internationals: the Amare homepage does not say whether opera productions have English surtitles. If following the words matters to you, check the event page or ask the box office before you buy. Concerts without singing, such as the Haydn and Dvořák evening, need no language at all.

Popular nights sell out. When that happens, Amare offers a waiting list: sign up and they contact you if tickets become available. If the online form fails, the site says to call and ask to be put on the list by phone.

Het Nationale Theater: Dutch drama and how to approach it

Het Nationale Theater is The Hague’s main drama company. It performs at the Koninklijke Schouwburg, Theater aan het Spui and Zaal 3 rather than at Amare. Be aware that even the “/en” address opens a site that is almost entirely in Dutch, and most productions are performed in Dutch.

That still leaves good options. Titles on the current programme include Romeo en Julia (with Theater Oostpool), Mefisto, Meeuw and SOEKARNO. If you already know a play, such as Romeo and Juliet, you can follow it in Dutch much more easily than new writing. The site does not mention English surtitles, so ask the theatre before booking if you need them.

Two features are worth knowing about. “Patatje met” combines a portion of fries with a performance at one of the three venues for what the theatre calls a small price. It is an easy, low-cost way to test your Dutch. The theatre also works on accessibility, with sign language interpreters, audio description and a low-stimulus welcome at selected performances.

Going with children

For families, Het Nationale Theater has its own youth company, HNTjong, which gives age guidance for each show. Dag Poes is listed as 4+ and Banger dan ik as 7+. Both are in Dutch, so they suit children who go to a Dutch school or are learning the language.

At Amare, look at the Youth & Family category on the programme. The free walk-in events, such as the lunch concerts by young musicians from the School for Young Talent, are also an easy first visit with children: no tickets, no long evening, and you can leave when attention runs out. Neither venue’s homepage gives age limits for the adult programme, so check the event page if you’re unsure. NDT’s double and triple bills are clearly made for adult audiences.

FAQ

Do I need to speak Dutch to enjoy a show at Amare?

No. Dance and instrumental music make up a large part of Amare’s programme, and there is no spoken language in an NDT performance. For opera or sung works, check the event page or ask the box office whether surtitles are provided, because the homepage does not say.

How much do tickets cost?

Amare, NDT and Het Nationale Theater do not list prices on their homepages. Each event page shows the current prices. Open Amare walk-in events are free.

What can I do if a performance is sold out?

Amare and Het Nationale Theater both run waiting lists. You sign up online and they contact you if tickets become available. If the online sign-up fails, call the venue and ask to be added.

Which shows work for young children?

HNTjong, the youth company of Het Nationale Theater, labels its shows by age, for example Dag Poes (4+) and Banger dan ik (7+). These are in Dutch. At Amare, the Youth & Family category and the free lunch concerts are easy places to start.

Official sources: amare.nl · ndt.nl · nationaletheater.nl

Last checked: 28 October 2026 against the pages linked above. Prices, opening hours and programmes change; the venue’s own site always has the current details.