Théâtre national de Chaillot

The Théâtre National de Chaillot (English: Chaillot National Theatre) is a theatre located in the Palais de Chaillot at 1, place du Trocadéro, in the 16th arrondissement of Paris. Close by the Eiffel Tower and the Trocadéro Gardens—the Théâtre de Chaillot is among the largest concert halls in Paris.[1] It has long been synonymous with popular theatre and is especially associated with stars such as Jean Vilar and Antoine Vitez. In 1975 the French Ministry of Culture designated it as one of the four national theatres of Paris.[2]

Théâtre National de Chaillot
Théâtre National Populaire
Théâtre National de Chaillot
Address1 Place du Trocadéro, 16th
Paris
France
Coordinates48.8623053°N 2.2819822°E / 48.8623053; 2.2819822
Typecontemporary dance
classical Music
CapacitySalle Jean-Vilar: 1250
Salle Gémier: 420
Construction
Opened1937
ArchitectÉdouard Niermans
Jean Niermans
Website
www.theatre-chaillot.fr

History

The Théâtre national de Chaillot was built between 1934 and 1937 by the brothers Jean and Édouard Niermans for the Paris Exhibition of 1937 on the site of the former Trocadéro Palace, itself an elaborate structure built for the Paris World's Fair of 1878. Starting in 1973 the interior of the theatre was completely renovated by the team of Valentine Fabre and John Perrottet and now houses a theatre school and three theatre venues: the Salle-Jean Vilar with 1250 seats, the Salle Gémier with 420 seats, and an 80-seat studio dedicated to small productions and avant-garde shows.

In 2007, France's Ministry for Culture under Christine Albanel directed the Théâtre national de Chaillot to promote contemporary dance—especially the work of French choreographers.[3] This announcement was greeted by controversy and outright hostility in some quarters.[4] Nevertheless, according to the Paris convention and visitors bureau, the Chaillot is dedicated to a presenting world class international dance, theatre, circus and visual arts—to being "a theatre that welcomes art in all its diversity".[5] It regularly hosts international dance companies such as The Forsythe Company, the Royal Swedish Ballet,[6] and the Irish troop Colin Dunne.[7]

The Chaillot is a frequent venue of au courant fashion shows featuring top designers such as Giorgio Armani,[8] Elie Saab,[9] and Claude Montana.[10]

Directors
The Grand Foyer of the Théâtre National de Chaillot

Directors of the old theatre (demolished in 1935);

  • 1920—1933 Firmin Gemier
  • 1933—1935 Albert Fourtier

Directors of the new theatre (rebuilt in 1937);

  • 1938—1939 Paul Abram
  • 1941—1951 Pierre Aldebert
  • 1951—1963 Jean Vilar
  • 1963—1972 Georges Wilson
  • 1973—1974 Jack Lang
  • 1974—1981 Andre-Louis Périnetti
  • 1981—1988 Antoine Vitez
  • 1988—2000 Jérôme Savary
  • 2000—2008 Ariel Goldenberg
  • 2008—2011 Jose Montalvo and Dominique Hervieu
  • 2011–present Didier Deschamps

References
  1. Culture & History of Théâtre national de Chaillot Archived 2011-09-29 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Historical monuments of the 16th arrondissement of Paris
  3. New direction for the National Theatre
  4. Revisita da Dança, L' Affaire Chaillot 25 Octobere 2007
  5. official website of the Paris convention and visitors bureau
  6. Fodor's guide to Paris Nightlife
  7. TimeOut Paris: dance
  8. New York Times, 29 January 2010
  9. New York Times, 28 January 2011
  10. New York Times, 20 March 1995
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.