Industrial · Architecture

Théâtre Mogador

Paris

Théâtre Mogador is a performance venue in Paris constructed in 1913 and inaugurated in 1919. Originally named Palace Théâtre, it was later renamed Mogador after its location at 25, rue de Mogador. The project was created by a British financier based on the London Palladium model by architect Bertie Crewe, with French architect Édouard Niermans supervising the construction. The theatre was inaugurated by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson and future President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

In the 1920s, Théâtre Mogador hosted the Ballets Russes de Diaghilev and the Thés Mogador musical afternoons. During the 1930s, it featured Mistinguett in Ça, c'est parisien and became dedicated to operettas, revues, and musicals. Later, the Isola brothers produced a series of successes there, including No, No, Nanette, Rose-Marie, and L'Auberge du Cheval-Blanc. Henri Varna took control in 1941 and presented grand operettas, followed by Hélène Martini, who introduced shows such as Monsieur Pompadour and Hello Dolly. Since the 1980s, the venue has also hosted concerts and major ceremonies.

Map showing the location of Théâtre Mogador in Paris
Location of Théâtre Mogador in Paris

Nearby Objects

Construction and Auditorium Levels

Theatre Mogador is a performance venue in Paris. It was constructed in 1913 and inaugurated in 1919. The theatre's auditorium is arranged across three levels: orchestre, corbeille, and balcon. These levels define the seating structure of the venue and are part of its basic interior organization.

History and Programming

Theatre Mogador was created by a British financier on the model of the London Palladium, designed by architect Bertie Crewe, with construction supervised by French architect Edouard Niermans. It was first named Palace Theatre, then renamed Mogador after its location at 25, rue de Mogador. The theatre was inaugurated by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson and future President Franklin D. Roosevelt, marking an early public profile of unusual prominence.

In the 1920s, the theatre hosted the Ballets Russes de Diaghilev and the Thes Mogador musical afternoons. During the 1930s it became known for Mistinguett's successful show Ca, c'est parisien, and from that decade onward it was dedicated to operettas, revues, and musicals. Among the productions associated with this period were several successes produced by the Isola brothers, including No, No, Nanette, Rose-Marie, and L'Auberge du Cheval-Blanc.

In 1941, Henri Varna took control of the theatre and presented grand operettas that were internationally known, including Violettes imperiales, Les Amants de Venise, Naples au baiser de feu, and Michel Strogoff. Multiple reprises of La Veuve Joyeuse featured artists such as Georie Boue, Jacques Jansen, Marcel Merkes, Paulette Merval, and Tino Rossi. After Henri Varna's death in 1969, the venue was renamed Theatre Henri-Varna-Mogador. Later, Heline Martini directed the theatre and introduced shows such as Monsieur Pompadour and Hello Dolly.

Concerts, Ownership Changes, and Closure

Théâtre Mogador began hosting concerts in the 1980s and became a venue for a number of notable performances. It presented concerts by Higelin during winter 1980-1981, and the British group The Shadows gave a unique concert there on 24 April 1984 at 8 PM. Sting marked the start of his solo career at the theater with seven performances in late May 1985. The venue also hosted the Molières ceremony in 2002, 2003, 2005, and 2006.

In 2005, the Dutch group Stage Entertainment acquired Théâtre Mogador, and in 2010 it joined the Théatres parisiens associés association. On 24 March 2016, a fire broke out in the basement, damaging the stage floor and forcing the theater to close. It reopened in autumn 2017 with a new show. More recently, Eric Clapton performed a private concert at the theater on Monday, 9 December 2019, sponsored by Edouard Carmignac.