| The Studio-Théâtre: A Different Approach to
Theatre The auditorium at the Studio-Théâtre
 
With the inauguration of the Studio-Théâtre at the
Carrousel du Louvre in November 1996, the
Comédie-Française finally has a third theatre, an
essential tool for a prestigious theatrical institution
seeking to expand its repertoire in
conditions that match.
The Theatre in All Its Forms
Short one-hour plays
performed at 6:30 p.m.:
The European repertoire - particularly the French one -
includes a considerable number of short plays, some of
which are real masterpieces, covering the period from the
16th to the 20th century. It was therefore decided to
dedicate a small theatre to this specific repertoire of curtain raisers and to
present both new or classical works lasting for
approximately one hour, at 6:30 p.m.
The Studio-Théâtre also aims to show
the many aspects of the theatre through image, readings, publications
etc....
Projections:
The "Théâtrothèque" is unique in France and features weekly
video projections of stage performances or archive films.
These showings are jointly organised with ARTE, and
feature some of the films belonging to its catalogue. In
this way, the public can discover or rediscover important
works and productions which by their very nature are
short-lived, and thus keep alive a memory of the theatre
and of all types of theatre.
"Salons littéraires"
Readings:
The "Salons
littéraires" are held for
one hour twice a month, and allow an actor to read
excerpts taken from a writer of his or her choice. This
constitutes the living library of the Comédiens-Français.
Cassettes, books, gifts:
In the ground-floor foyer, a shop offers a selection of publications on theatre,
and over 200 audio/video cassettes, compact disks and
CD-ROMs relating to the stage.
Lastly, a line of original and quality products inspired
by the history and heritage of the Comédie-Française is
also on sale.
The Studio-Théâtre has implemented a
deliberately simple method for attending performances: no
advance booking is necessary; tickets can only be
purchased on the premises one hour before the show.
A Simplified and More Flexible
Structure
In 1996, the French Ministry for
Culture and the "Société
des Comédiens-Français"
financed the entire fitting-out of the initially bare
premises in the heart of the Louvre's "Galerie du
Carrousel", on Place de la Pyramide inversée.
Jean-Pierre Miquel had spotted the premises two years
beforehand with the hope of building a new theatre there.
The intimate and comfortable auditorium
contains 136 seats arranged in tiers. The stage covers an area
of 58 m2 with a proscenium 6 m wide.
The machinery is minimal, yet highly effective, and includes
a projection screen.
Performances are given by the
Comédiens-Français as co-productions with the
Comédie-Française.
As a limited company and subsidiary of
the Comédie-Française Public Corporation, the
Studio-Théâtre has a budget of 5.7 million francs (1
million $). Nine permanent employees, aged 19 to 30, work
at the theatre and in the shop. Even more so than at the Vieux-Colombier, versatility is vital here, so as to support
the theatre in its many forms.
In its very first season, the
Studio-Théâtre featured five new theatre productions,
eight readings and around 30 film projections. The public
responded very favourably with an audience of more than
21 000, representing an average attendance rate of
72%.
Art and experimental theatre? Perhaps.
But also a complementary space to the large historical
auditorium, a place where words and images flow in
friendly intimacy for the pleasure of theatre-lovers and
inquisitive minds.
400 people - 161.5 million francs - 260 000 spectators
The Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier -
The Studio-Théâtre
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