Architecture

Sorano Theatre

Toulouse

Sorano Theatre is a theatre located at 35 allées Jules-Guesde in Toulouse, Haute-Garonne. It was created in 1964 by Maurice Sarrazin in the former auditorium of the Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle de Toulouse. The theatre was initially intended to host the Centre dramatique national du Sud-Ouest, founded by Charles Dullin in 1945. It is named in honor of Daniel Sorano, a Toulouse actor born in 1920 and died in 1962.

The building has a seating capacity of 430 places. Historical records note that it retained the façade and portico created by Urbain Vitry. Sorano Theatre was inaugurated by Maurice Sarrazin in 1964, and the troupe du Grenier used it as a base for its activities. It remained the Centre dramatique national de Toulouse until 1997.

The theatre is currently directed by Karine Chapert, and its programming focuses on young creation. The annual festival Supernova, held every November, presents emerging companies and new engaged theatrical forms.

Map showing the location of Sorano Theatre in Toulouse
Location of Sorano Theatre in Toulouse

Nearby Objects

Sorano Theatre in Toulouse

Sorano Theatre is located at 35 allées Jules-Guesde in Toulouse, Haute-Garonne. It was created in 1964 by Maurice Sarrazin in the former auditorium of the Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle de Toulouse. The theatre was initially intended to host the Centre dramatique national du Sud-Ouest, founded by Charles Dullin in 1945. It was named in honor of Daniel Sorano, a Toulouse actor born in 1920 and who died in 1962. The theatre has a seating capacity of 430 places. It is directed by Karine Chapert, and its programming is focused on young creation.

History and Institutional Evolution

The Sorano theatre was inaugurated in 1964 by Maurice Sarrazin, who is also recorded as a founder of the compagnie du Grenier de Toulouse. It was the fourth theatre opened under Jeanne Laurent's decentralization policy. The theatre is located in the former auditorium of the Musuem d'Histoire naturelle de Toulouse, and it retained the facade and portico created by Urbain Vitry.

The troupe du Grenier used the Sorano theatre as a base for its activities, and the theatre remained the Centre dramatique national de Toulouse until 1997. In 2000, Maurice Sarrazin was appointed director of the theatre with Caligari Production managing it. Leadership later passed to Didier Carette with the group Ex-Abrupto, followed by provisional direction by Pascal Papini from July to December 2011.

After the mairie de Toulouse created a new municipal structure combining the Sorano and Jules-Julien theatres, the Sorano offered multidisciplinary programming. Ghislaine Gouby later became director, having previously directed the Scene nationale de Macon and the festival Bancs publics. Under her direction, the programming included theatre, music, and poetry. The Sorano and Jules Julien theatres later regained independence.

Directorship and the Supernova Festival

The history of theatre Sorano records a sequence of leadership changes linked to its artistic programming. Sebastien Bournac became director and initiated Supernova, an annual young creation festival held every November. The festival presents emerging companies and new engaged theatrical forms, giving the theatre a clear focus on new work. Later, Karine Chapert became director of theatre Sorano after working there for over twenty years. Her project likewise centered on young creation and artistic emergence, continuing the venue's emphasis on supporting developing artists and new theatrical expression.