Nouverture

The history of the Twentse Schouwburg (Twenthe Theatre) starts in 1889. A theatre building designed by Reijers and Van Gendt was erected in the centre of Enschede on the Langestraat (Long Street) not far from the present city hall (built between 1930 and '33). In 1952 the theatre was expanded by adding a much larger auditorium (Grote Zaal) on the back. In 1985 the old auditorium (Kleine Zaal) was remodelled. In 2001 a new organisation was founded to include all podium arts and venues in Enschede. Within this concept a new theatre was needed as the old one would need extensive remodelling. So a new complex called the Wilminktheater was opened in 2008 and the large 1950s auditorium was torn down for new housing and shops. The old auditorium was restored and is since known as De Kleine Willem (literally Little William, a reference to the famous local lyricist and poet Willem Wilmink).

In 2008 a combination of a commercial developer and a housing association won a design competition for the redevelopment of the old theatre site. They included some parts of the old theatre buildings in their new concept that comprises of luxurious apartments, social rented housing and commercial space along a series of walkways between the Walstraat (Wall Street) and Langestraat. The development was dubbed Nouverture a contraction of the French words nous (us), nouveau (new) and ouverture (opening).

In the redevelopment of the old city theatre the front facade was kept including the statues by Jawik Krudde (created 1984) representing harlequins and clowns as a reference to sixteenth century Italian theatre. This lifelike artwork is most surreal after dark as their faces are lit by the lamps they hold and strange shadows are cast on the facade and the pavement.