Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Gymnase Theatre, located 38 boulevard de Bonne-Nouvelle in Paris 10e, was founded in 1820 by Lugan de La Rozerie as a training space for young actors. Its name evokes a place of physical and intellectual exercises. A royal privilege allowed the representation of condensed pieces from the repertoire of the Comédie-Française and the Opéra, under strict conditions: works in several acts had to be reduced to one act, and those in one act to one scene. Architects Auguste Rougevin and Louis-Régnier de Guerchy designed the building on the site of the former gardens of the hotel of Baron Louis and part of the cemetery of the parish of Bonne-Nouvelle. Inaugurated on 23 October 1820 with three plays including a prologue by Eugene Scribe, the theatre was quickly transferred to Delestre-Poirson, who introduced gas lighting in 1823.

Under the direction of Poirson, the Gymnasium obtained the title of Théâtre de Madame thanks to the protection of the Duchess of Berry. He extended his repertoire to comedies and signed an exclusive contract with Eugène Scribe. Closed in 1830 for renovation after the Three Glories, he reopened under his original name, Gymnasium-Dramatic. In 1844 Adolphe Lemoine (known as Montigny) directed it and directed the programming towards sentimental pieces, attracting authors such as Balzac, George Sand or Dumas father and son. Major works were created there, including Perrichon's Voyage (1860) by Eugene Labiche.

The theatre underwent several architectural transformations, notably in 1880 under Victor Koning, with a redecoration by painters Rubé, Chaperon, Compan and Plumet. In the 20th century, notable directors such as Henry Bernstein (1926-1940) and Marie Bell (1962-1985) created pieces by Cocteau, Pagnol or Genet. Ranked a historic monument in 1994, the Gymnasium retains its remodeled hall in 1880, with an allegorical painted ceiling. Today, he collaborates with other Parisian theatres under the associated Parisian Theatres brand and remains a living place of creation and heritage.

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