At the end of the Age of the
Enlightenment, the new political context saw the rival
actors (revolutionary and moderate) reunite and begin a
new era for the Société des Comédiens-Français. The
Salle Richelieu was in such a state of disrepair that it
needed restoration before it could reopen officially on 30
May 1799 (11 prairial year VII). The
Comédie-Française has remained firmly there for more
than two centuries. It is in this classical horseshoe-shaped theatre
that, season after season, it manages to stage
alternately original creations and revivals, to maintain
the technical know-how (stagehands, electricians,
upholsterers, property masters, costume workshops, sound
and light technicians, etc.) and to run the theatre as a
true commercial business.
The building underwent many restoration and expansion
campaigns during the 19th century, particularly between
1860 and 1864 when the original volume created by Victor
Louis was completed by the addition of the main staircase
and the foyer, as well as by the new facade on the Place
Colette.
The fire of 8 March 1900 was
devastating, but the metallic structure resisted and
prevented the theatre from collapsing. After the
grand-scale renovation which took place in 1900, others
followed in 1935, 1974-76 and 1994. The number of seats
— which was close to 2 000 when the theatre was
built — has been gradually brought down to 896, but
visibility and comfort have been greatly improved.
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