A great fire
Then came 8 December 1881. In Vienna, Austria, the gas lighting in the Ringtheater burst into flames and the fire spread at lightning speed. In the panic that followed, nearly 500 guests died, an unprecedented number and one of the biggest fire disasters in the Austria-Hungary of its day. The fire prompted governments across Europe to tighten the reins considerably when it came to fire prevention in the theatre industry. It was also the bitter nudge the city council needed to quickly give the green light in 1886 for the theatre on the waterfront. And so Oscar's dream came true after all, at the end of 1887.
Quick facts
- 01Oscar raised 300,000 guilders through bonds to build his Carré;
- 02Construction of the theatre began in April 1887, and just eight months later it was ready to open;
- 03At first there were only circus shows in the winter months, but from about ten years after the opening, theatre was staged there too;
- 04In 1987 the theatre turned 100 and was granted the title 'koninklijk' (royal);
- 05In 2004 Carré was renovated because the wooden foundations were due for replacement. During this work, several old stage sets were discovered.
- 06Curious about the full history of Carré? Then be sure to check out this book.
