Théâtre Libre (performing arts center)
Theatre in Paris, France
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Théâtre Libre (French pronunciation: [teɑtʁ libʁ]), formerly Eldorado and then Comédia (or Théâtre Comedia), is a 934-capacity performing arts center located at 4 Boulevard de Strasbourg in Paris, France.
History
The original venue was built in 1858 and became the Eldorado Café-concert in 1862.[1] It became one of the leading cafés-concerts, with its audience described by the Goncourt brothers in 1865.[2] In 1892 Toulouse-Lautrec produced an advertising poster for Aristide Bruant's performance there.[3]
Walter Sickert's 1906 painting "The Eldorado, Paris" depicts the patrons in the galleries.[4]
The original hall was demolished and reconstructed as a 2000-seat cinema in 1932–33.[1]
In 1993 the entrance hall and cinema hall were designated a Patrimoine du XXe siècle ("20th Century Cultural Heritage").[5]
In 2000 a new proprietor renamed the venue "Comédia".[1]
In 2007, American actor/director John Malkovich directed Ariel Wizman and Vincent Elbaz in Good Canary at the Comédia.[6]
