Stage Casinotuin

Vereniging Sociëteit Casino (VSC) is an active association that supports the cultural life in Den Bosch for more than 175 years now. As an incentive VSC has taken the initiative to give a stage to the municipality of 's-Hertogenbosch. A stage in which both spontaneous as planned performances can be held, by companies, groups or individuals, of all ages. The stage also functions as meeting place for the many passers-by that use the Casinotuin as pedestrian route between the town and the new parking garage. 
Because of keeping the Casinotuin quiet and empty, it is decided in 2018 not to realise stage.

Concept
The stage is designed as a slightly raised horizontal surface on which anyone stands if it were in the spotlight. It almost seems to float. The floor is light in colour, as a natural light spot between the trees, to which people automatically are attracted. The implementation has a certain austere elegance by the application of an anecdotal graphical representation in concrete.

With grandeur
In 1828 the Sociëteit Casino was established. In the mansion with garden at the Papenhulst balls, game and music evenings were organised. The garden behind the house was surrounded by the Binnendieze. From 1870 the Sociëteit Casino could expand the garden with the former ' waschbleek '. Since then the garden was called Casinotuin. From that time an octagonal 'muziek-kiosque' was situated in the garden, in use for music performances and small plays.

Contemporary design
The stage refers to the past of the society and its activities. By means of a special concrete technology (graphic concrete) an image is made visible In the surface, which consists of 4 concrete plates and a concrete step that invites you to enter the stage. The image, a picture of early 20th century, contains the former music kiosk, at that time already surrounded by large trees. In the foreground are some tables, the chairs leaning, waiting for a new show to start on a beautiful summer afternoon. In the lower right corner a man with his bike comes in to have a look. It is this casual atmosphere that we had in mind for the stage, as an invitation to  come by or do a spontaneous performance.