|
Theatre is one of the staples of French cultural life. The Comédie Française theatre company is the leading national theatre troupe, and the oldest, and is still the place to catch French classics by Molière, Corneille or Racine. A fresh determination to move into new drama has seen the recent performance of Papa doit manger by Marie Ndiaye, one of a new generation of French playwrights exploring modern themes such as exile and immigration. The boundaries of French theatre are being pushed in new and exciting directions at the Bouffes du Nord by English theatre director Peter Brook. Brook combines sets of an improbable scale and complexity with dazzling light and musical effects. A handful of theatres hold occasional performances in English, usually with English actors. The most popular billings include old favourites Shakespeare and Harold Pinter, as well as more modern playwright Sarah Kane, whose controversial themes have struck a chord with contemporary French audiences. Other names to look out for include Patrice Chéreau, better known outside France as a film rather than a theatre director, and Stéphane Braunschweig, who brings innovative modern direction to theatre and opera. Buy theatre tickets from any branch of FNAC or from the kiosks behind the church on place de la Madeleine. Special theatre events take place during the Festival d’Automne. Bouffes du Nord, 37 bis blvd de la Chapelle, 75010, T 01 46 07 34 50, http://www.bouffesdunord.com M La Chapelle. Peter Brook’s experimental theatre, often in English. Comédie Française, 2 rue de Richelieu, 75001, T 01 44 58 15 15, http://www.comedie-francaise.fr M Palais Royal. France’s oldest and most important National Theatre, established in the 17th century. Performances of classic French works prevail. Théâtre de la Huchette, 23 rue de la Houchette, 75005, T 01 43 26 38 99. M St Michel. Hot and cramped theatre where Nicolas Bataille’s production of Ionesco’s The Bald Primadonna is performed, as well as other works by Ionesco. Théâtre Hébertot, 78 bis blvd des Batignolles, 75017, T 01 43 87 23 23. M Rome, Villiers. Regular performances of pieces in English. Théâtre National de Chaillot, Palais de Chaillot, 1 place du Trocadéro, 75016, T 01 53 65 30 00, http://www.theatre-chaillot.fr M Trocadéro. Atmospheric 1930s theatre running entertaining plays and dance shows.
|
