Early Modern · Architecture

Théâtre de la Madeleine

Paris

Théâtre de la Madeleine is a theatre building in Paris that was built in 1924 on the site of a horse riding arena by Robert Trébor and André Brûlé. Its first major success came in 1925 with Marcel Pagnol’s first play, Les Marchands de gloire. From 1930 to 1944, it was the official theater of Sacha Guitry. The theatre was later directed by André Roussin and Benoît-Léon Deutsch from 1955 to 1965, then administered by Nadine Farel between 1965 and 1980. Simone Valère and Jean Desailly directed it from 1980 to 2002, followed by Frédéric Franck and Stéphane Lissner after 2002. In 2010, it joined fifty private Paris theaters to form the Association for the Support of Private Theater and the National Union of Directors and Touring Private Theater, and became part of the brand Les Théâtres parisiens associés. After a takeover at the end of 2015, Philippe Lellouche was appointed artistic director. The theatre’s programming has included works such as Le Limier, Je me souviens, Une pièce espagnole, Appolinaire, and La Bête dans la jungle.

Map showing the location of Théâtre de la Madeleine in Paris
Location of Théâtre de la Madeleine in Paris

Nearby Objects

History and Management of the Theatre

Theatre de la Madeleine was built in 1924 on the site of a former horse riding arena by Robert Trebor and Andre Brule. It achieved its first major success in 1925 with Marcel Pagnol's first play, Les Marchands de gloire. From 1930 to 1944, it served as the official theater of Sacha Guitry. Leadership of the theater later passed through several hands: Andre Roussin and Benoit-Leon Deutsch directed it from 1955 to 1965, followed by Nadine Farel, who administered it between 1965 and 1980. Simone Valere and Jean Desailly directed the theater from 1980 to 2002, and Frédéric Franck and Stephane Lissner succeeded them after 2002. In 2010, the theater joined fifty private Paris theaters in forming the Association for the Support of Private Theater and the National Union of Directors and Touring Private Theater, and it also became part of the new brand Les Theatres parisiens associes. The theater was later purchased by Jean-Claude Camus. At the end of 2015, Dominique Bergin and Michel Lumbroso partnered with 3S Entertainment to take over the theater, and Philippe Lellouche was appointed artistic director.

Recent Programming at the Theatre

The programming at Theatre de la Madeleine has included several productions, among them Le Limier, Je me souviens, Une piece espagnole, Appolinaire, and La Bete dans la jungle. These titles indicate a varied theatrical program presented at the venue.

Programming and Stage Productions

The programming at the Theatre de la Madeleine included a wide range of contemporary and classic stage works, often brought together with notable actors and directors. Its presentations included Doux oiseau de jeunesse by Tennessee Williams with Claudia Cardinale, Christophe Reymond, and Bernard Verley, as well as Ta bouche, an operetta by Maurice Yvain. The theatre also presented La Chevre, ou Qui est Sylvia ? by Edward Albee in 2000 with Nicole Garcia and Andre Dussollier, and a play by A. R. Gurney with Anouk Aimee and Philippe Noiret. Other works in the programming included L'Ecole des femmes by Moliere with Coline Serreau, La Maladie de la mort by Marguerite Duras directed by Berangere Bonvoisin with Fanny Ardant, and Blanc by Emmanuelle Marie directed by Zabou Breitman with Isabelle Carre and Lea Drucker.

The theatre also hosted pieces that combined theatrical performance with debate, reading, or musical elements. These included Debats 1974-1981 Valery Giscard d'Estaing-Francois Mitterrand with Jean-Francois Balmer and Jacques Weber, Le Talisman Balzac-Beethoven staged and adapted by Francoise Petit with Jean-Francois Balmer and Quatuor Ludwig, and Quartett by Heiner Muller as a reading with Jeanne Moreau and Sami Frey. The programming further featured Elle t'attend by Florian Zeller with Laetitia Casta and Bruno Todeschini, Serial Plaideur by and with Jacques Verges, and a work by Albert Ramsdell Gurney with Anouk Aimee and Alain Delon.

Additional productions included Je t'ai epouse par allegresse by Natalia Ginzburg directed by Marie-Louise Bischofberger, L'Amante anglaise by Marguerite Duras also directed by Bischofberger, Qui est monsieur Schmitt ? by Sebastien Thiery directed by Jose Paul and Stephane Cottin, and Le Voyage de Victor by Nicolas Bedos directed by the author. The theatre also presented Une maison de poupee by Henrik Ibsen directed by Michel Fau, Extinction by Thomas Bernhard produced by Blandine Masson and Alain Francon, Nono by Sacha Guitry directed by Michel Fau, Grand Ecart by Stephen Belber directed by Benoit Lavigne, Diplomatie by Cyril Gely directed by Stephan Meldegg, and Fin de partie by Samuel Beckett directed by Alain Francon. Across these productions, the theatre's programming shows a sustained focus on spoken theatre, readings, and staged works with prominent performers.

Programmed Productions at the Theatre

The programming of the Theatre de la Madeleine has included a range of stage works by contemporary and classical writers. Among the productions listed are Le Roi Lear by William Shakespeare, directed by Jean-Luc Revol under Dominique Bergin and Michel Lumbroso, and Faisons un reve by Sacha Guitry, directed by Nicolas Briancon. Other programmed works include Tout a refaire by Philippe Lellouche, directed by Gerard Darmon; Jacques Daniel by Laurent Baffie, directed by Laurent Baffie; and L'Heureux Elu by Eric Assous, directed by Jean-Luc Moreau and featuring Bruno Solo, Yvan Le Bolloc'h and Melanie Page. The theatre has also presented A ma place vous Feriez quoi ? by Julie Ferrier, directed by Julie Ferrier; Le Temps qui reste by Philippe Lellouche, directed by Nicolas Briancon; Moi non plus by Bertrand Soulier, directed by Philippe Lellouche; and Paprika by Pierre Palmade, directed by Jeoffrey Bourdenet and featuring Victoria Abril and Jean-Baptiste Maunier.

2018-2019 Programming

The 2018-2019 programmation at Theatre de la Madeleine included several stage productions. Among them was Eric Dupond-Moretti - A la barre by Eric Dupond-Moretti and Hadrien Raccah, directed by Philippe Lellouche. The season also featured L'Invitation by Hadrien Raccah, again directed by Philippe Lellouche, with Gad Elmaleh, Philippe Lellouche, and Lucie Jeanne in the cast. Another production in the season was Meno-pause, directed by Alex Goude.

Programming and Stage Works

The programming at Theatre de la Madeleine includes a mix of comedy, drama, and choreographed works. Among the listed productions are Waly Dia - Ensemble ou rien, performed by and with Waly Dia, and Laurent Baffie se pose des questions, also created and performed by Laurent Baffie. Several plays are presented with named directors, including Trahisons after Harold Pinter, directed by Michel Fau; Les Grandes Ambitions by Hadrien Raccah, directed by Philippe Lellouche; and Bungalow 21 by Eric Emmanuel-Schmitt, directed by Jeremie Lippmann. Other productions include En ce temps-la, l'amour by Gilles Segal, directed by Christophe Gand and featuring David Brecourt; Suite Royale by Judith Elmaleh, directed by Bernard Murat and featuring Elie Semoun and Julie De Bona; and Secret.s by Sebastien Blanc, directed by Jean-Luc Moreau and featuring Patrick Chesnais and Laurent Gamelon. The venue also presents works by and with performers such as Michel Boujenah, Manu Payet, and Philippe Lellouche. In addition to theatrical pieces, the programming includes choreographed works by Marie-Claude Pietragalla, including La Femme qui danse and La Lecon. This range indicates a repertoire that combines spoken performance, staged drama, and dance-oriented creation.