Timeline

Key figures

Origin and history

The Gymnase Marie-Bell Theatre was founded in 1820 by Mr. Lugan de La Rozerie, who wanted to offer a training venue for young Parisian actors. The name "Gymnase" evoked a space of artistic exercises, where the pieces of the classical repertoire (Comédie-Française, Opéra) were adapted in short versions. The theatre was built on the site of the gardens of the hotel of Baron Louis and part of the former cemetery of Good News, with an inauguration on 23 October 1820 including works by Eugene Scribe. The architects Rougevin and Guerchy signed the plans under strict constraints: to reduce the pieces into an act or a scene.

From 1823, Delestre-Poirson modernized the theatre with gas lighting and obtained the title of Théâtre de Madame thanks to the protection of the Duchess of Berry. The repertoire evolved into comedies (Favart, Grétry) and exclusive contracts with authors such as Eugène Scribe. Closed in 1830 for renovation after the Three Glories, he reopened under his original name. In 1844 Adolphe Lemoine (known as Montigny) took the lead and imposed a sentimental genre, attracting playwrights such as Balzac, George Sand or Dumas father and son. Major works such as Le Voyage de Monsieur Perrichon (Labiche, 1860) and Frou-Frou (Meilhac and Halévy, 1869) were created there.

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, figures such as Henry Bernstein (1926-1940), Paule Rolle (1940-1962) and Marie Bell (1962-1985) marked his direction. Marie Bell, a famous tragic woman, performed a memorable Phedra. The Gymnase also became a place of creation for Cocteau, Pagnol or Genet (Le Balcon, 1960). Ranked a historic monument in 1994, he remains active today, partner of the Associated Parisian Theatres since 2010.

The theatre has three rooms: the large hall (800 seats), the Marie-Bell studio (90 seats) and the Petit-Gymnase (160 seats). Its history reflects the evolution of Parisian taste, from moral drama to vaudeville, through committed or avant-garde works. In 2023, he hosted the Bobards d'Or, a controversial event organized by the Polemia Foundation, highlighting its ongoing role in cultural debates.

Located at 38 boulevard de Bonne-Nouvelle, the Gymnase is served by the eponymous metro station. Its architecture and repertoire make it a key witness to Parisian theatrical life for two centuries, mixing historical heritage and contemporary creation.

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