Thus the idea came to focus on parallel themes from the work of a specific author or period over two seasons. In 1994-95 and 1995-96, for example, we highlighted Racine and the 19th-century theatre, from the birth of Romanticism to bourgeois comedy, followed by a Corneille cycle.

Nevertheless, the founding energies of the Comédie-Française must not be lost sight of Molière and his successors Marivaux and Feydeau, masters and reformers of comedy. They are the natural pillars of both the old and new traditions of France's leading theatre.

Finally, there is another vital part: the contemporary repertoire, which may generate tomorrow's classics. With two new theatres (i.e., the Vieux-Colombier and the Studio-Théâtre) at its disposal, the company of the "Comédiens-Français" has been able to perform works by Dubillard, Duras, Grumberg, Genet, Calaferte, Bréhal, Chaurette, Tomeo, Ionesco, Topor, Besnehard, Brisville, Delaruelle, Adamov, and Stoppard.

Moreover, I find it essential to invite other stage directors, with their valuable careers and experiences, to bring us their own points of view on both aesthetic matters and working methods.

An Extension of Theatre

Besides performances per se, there are many supplementary productions aimed at improving research: multi-voice readings on Saturdays ("Samedis") at the Vieux-Colombier, "Salons littéraires" at the Studio-Théâtre, radio recordings by France Culture, filmed plays by ARTE in the series entitled " Levers de rideau", the " Collection Molière " comprising 18 plays on video, special programmes in schools, etc. This combination constitutes the real activity of the "beehive" (the symbol of Molière's company of actors), offering actors a great variety of challenges.

The Permanent Theatre Company - An Enlarged Repertoire - 800 Performances