On the French theatrical scene – one of the most productive in the world, so much so that it sometimes gives the impression of confusion on account of its profusion and diversity – the Comédie-Française occupies an unusual, unique position. This unusualness is due to its continuity and its modus operandi based on the existence of a permanent company which renews itself by co-optation, thus naturally ensuring its continuity.

It is indeed the existence of this group of actors, set up as a "company" (société), which shapes the other two specific functions of the institution: the possibility of alternating performances and of maintaining a repertoire that is designed to last thanks to a potentially endless number of revivals.

This explains why the Comédie-Française cannot be fashioned by one man alone; its "boss", as we say, can only fit in with a long-standing tradition and take into account past history, the existing repertoire and previous artistic aims.

Since neither the existence of the company nor the practice of alternating performances ever needed – or need – to be doubted (in spite of certain difficulties in maintaining them today), the challenge lies in the artistic aims and the way they are achieved.

If the Comédie-Française wants to remain a landmark, a theatre of reference, it must assert both its uniqueness and its tradition, particularly through a clear repertoire policy, and of course through its artistic excellence. If its mission is indeed to maintain the repertoire of French plays from all periods and to match it with the great foreign repertoires, it must look beyond the fifteen or so plays which are regularly performed either in public or private theatres in Paris, and stage unfairly underrated, forgotten or neglected works.

The Permanent Theatre Company - An Enlarged Repertoire - 800 Performances