Théâtre Antoine-Simone Berriau
Encyclopedia
Théâtre Antoine-Simone Berriau is a theater located at 14 boulevard de Strasbourg in the 10th arrondissement of Paris.
The 800-seat theater was built, in Italian style, in 1866. It functioned under a variety of names through the years, opening as Theatre des Menus-Plaisirs (1866–1874, 1877–1879, 1882–1888), then Théâtre des Arts (1874–1876, 1879–1881), Opéra-Bouffe (1876–1877), and the Comédie-Parisienne (1881).
company of André Antoine
. Although short-lived, lasting only eight years, the theater's pioneering naturalism
proved extremely influential. Antoine departed in 1894 under financial pressure, the enterprise closed in 1896, but Antoine returned the following year to the renamed Théâtre Antoine with a more deliberately provocative program that lasted until 1906.
here beginning in 1943. For instance the first production of his 1951 The Devil and the Good Lord
opened here, directed by Louis Jouvet
. On her death in 1984 her daughter Helena Bossis took charge; since the death of Bossis in 2008, her husband Daniel Dares has served as director.
The 800-seat theater was built, in Italian style, in 1866. It functioned under a variety of names through the years, opening as Theatre des Menus-Plaisirs (1866–1874, 1877–1879, 1882–1888), then Théâtre des Arts (1874–1876, 1879–1881), Opéra-Bouffe (1876–1877), and the Comédie-Parisienne (1881).
Théâtre-Libre (1888-1897) and Théâtre-Antoine (1897-1906)
In 1888 it became the venue for the Théâtre LibreThéâtre Libre
The Théâtre Libre was a theatre company that operated from 1887 to 1896 in the Montmartre district of Paris, France.-History:Théâtre Libre was founded on 30 March 1887 by André Antoine, who wanted to create a dramatization of an Émile Zola novel, Thérèse Raquin after the theater group for which he...
company of André Antoine
André Antoine
André Antoine was a French actor, theatre manager, film director, author, and critic who is considered the father of modern mise en scène in France.-Biography:...
. Although short-lived, lasting only eight years, the theater's pioneering naturalism
Naturalism (theatre)
Naturalism is a movement in European drama and theatre that developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It refers to theatre that attempts to create a perfect illusion of reality through a range of dramatic and theatrical strategies: detailed, three-dimensional settings Naturalism is a...
proved extremely influential. Antoine departed in 1894 under financial pressure, the enterprise closed in 1896, but Antoine returned the following year to the renamed Théâtre Antoine with a more deliberately provocative program that lasted until 1906.
From 1943 onwards
The theater now bears the name of actress and director Simone Berriau, who presented the complete dramatic work of Jean-Paul SartreJean-Paul Sartre
Jean-Paul Charles Aymard Sartre was a French existentialist philosopher, playwright, novelist, screenwriter, political activist, biographer, and literary critic. He was one of the leading figures in 20th century French philosophy, particularly Marxism, and was one of the key figures in literary...
here beginning in 1943. For instance the first production of his 1951 The Devil and the Good Lord
The Devil and the Good Lord
The Devil and the Good Lord is a play by French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre. The play concerns the moral choices of its characters, warlord Goetz, clergy Heinrich, communist leader Nasti and others during the German Peasants' War...
opened here, directed by Louis Jouvet
Louis Jouvet
Louis Jouvet was a renowned French actor, director, and theatre director.- Life :Overcoming speech impediments and sometimes paralyzing stage fright as a young man, Jouvet's first important association was with Jacques Copeau's Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier, beginning in 1913...
. On her death in 1984 her daughter Helena Bossis took charge; since the death of Bossis in 2008, her husband Daniel Dares has served as director.
Théâtre des Menus-Plaisirs
- 1867: Geneviève de BrabantGeneviève de BrabantGeneviève de Brabant is an opéra bouffe, or operetta, by Jacques Offenbach, first performed in Paris in 1859. The plot is based on the medieval legend of Genevieve of Brabant....
(revised version) by Jacques OffenbachJacques OffenbachJacques Offenbach was a Prussian-born French composer, cellist and impresario. He is remembered for his nearly 100 operettas of the 1850s–1870s and his uncompleted opera The Tales of Hoffmann. He was a powerful influence on later composers of the operetta genre, particularly Johann Strauss, Jr.... - 1883: Les pommes d'or by Edmond AudranEdmond AudranAchille Edmond Audran was a French composer best known for several internationally successful operettas, including Les noces d'Olivette , La mascotte , Gillette de Narbonne , La cigale et la fourmi , Miss Helyett , and La poupée .After Audran's initial success in Paris, his works also became a...
- 1887: La fiancée des Verts-Poteaux by Audran
- 1891: L'oncle Célestin by Audran
- 1892: Article de Paris by Audran