Théâtre Libre was founded on 30 March 1887 by André Antoine. The primary goal of the theatre was to present new plays that were untried and unproduced by the commercial houses.[1] Antoine was driven to open his own theatre company to create a dramatization of an Émile Zola novel, Thérèse Raquin after the theater group for which he previously worked had refused.[2] In order to ensure that the Théâtre Libre was exempt from censorship and could produce plays that other theaters would not, the theatre was supported solely by subscribers. This allowed the Théâtre Libre to collect no money at the door meaning it was not legally considered a theatre.[3] Being a "free" theatre, in the case of Théâtre Libre, meant being a theatre that presented naturalism and was dedicated to producing plays in any and all genres that had not been produced before and often were considered too much of a risk to stage.[3]
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, The Hairdresser - Program for the Theatre-Libre, 1893
First Performance: Le Grappin, l'Affranchie, for Le Théatre Libre, 1892–93
There are three chapters of the Théâtre Libre's life. This first is its opening with the first two programs in the spring of 1887 and the full season that followed.[5] Antoine quit his job at the gas company to pursue establishing the Théâtre Libre full-time.[2] The second is from October 1888 to June 1893. During this time, the Théâtre Libre established itself as a prominent theatre company whose subscriptions were robust, produced many plays to general critical acclaim, and was sought out to produce new work. It was during these years that the Théâtre Libre saw some of its work transferring to prominent commercial theatres in Paris such as the Odéon and the Comédie-Française.[5] The theatre's final chapter is marked from November 1893 to its close in 1896. During this time it was evident that the experimental days of the theatre had passed as the style and works produced by the Théâtre Libre were now commercially acceptable and sought after.[5] Due to the amount of debt acquired both on behalf of the theatre and personally, Antoine turned the Théâtre Libre over to Larochelle, a son of an older director/actor who had been eager to join management, for the final two years of the theatre's operation.[5] The last performance at Théâtre Libre was on April 27, 1896.[2]
The theatre presented more than 111 plays by more than 50 playwrights during its existence.[3] Each production produced at Théâtre Libre was only given three performances: one dress rehearsal, one opening night performance for invited guests, and one performance for subscribers.[6] However, despite its achievements, the theater had major financial problems. The deep debt coupled with the idea that the Théâtre Libre was no longer needed, as it had proved that a new form of theatre could be acceptable and commercial was being produced, the theatre failed and closed its doors.[5]
Notable Works/Controversial Productions
The theater concerned itself with producing work that was considered too risky to stage by more well-known theaters, sometimes even works that had been banned in Europe, such as Henrik Ibsen's Ghosts.[3] The theater performed one foreign work per year and it staged only three performances of any production, either a foreign or domestic work.[7]
Jacques Damour by Émile Zola (adapted for stage by Léon Hennique)
The play, focusing on a man fighting against his evil instincts, was well-received by critics.[7]
This production one of Théâtre Libre's biggest successes critically. The fairy tale was received to standing ovations and very enthusiastic reviews.[7]
Paul Signac, Application of Charles Henry's Chromatic Circle; Théâtre-Libre playbill of January 31, 1889.
While other thought this play too melancholy for French audiences, Antoine embraced the Russian story.[7]
Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen
While the play had been censored in Norway, Germany, and England due to its taboo subjects such as incest and euthanasia, Antoine produced it to mixed reviews of both critics and friends alike.[7]
The Théâtre Libre combined Realism with Naturalism, and emphasized ensemble acting. André Antoine, its primary director, became known as the father of Naturalistic Staging. He sought to make every play as real as possible, such as when real beef carcasses were used on stage. Many sets were erected with four standing walls for rehearsals, then Antoine would decide which wall to remove for the audience to see when plays began their run. He also replaced footlights with more naturalistic lighting. Antoine believed each play should have its own unique environment.[1]
The Théâtre Libre was the first of its kind and inspired the opening many theatres, including the Freie Bühne , (Free Stage), in Berlin that opened in 1889 as well as the Independent Theatre Society in London that opened in 1891.[1] Out of these two theatres grew Freie Volksbühne, (Free People's Stage), and the Stage Society in 1899 and the Abbey Theatre at Dublin in 1901.[1]
The influence in staging in realism and naturalism can of the Théâtre Libre can be seen in the Moscow Art Theatre which was founded in 1898 by Constantine Stanislavski and Nemirovich-Danchecko and still operates today.[1]
References
^ abcdeMowry Roberts, Vera (1974). On Stage: a history of theatre second edition. New York: Harper & Row. pp. 388–416. ISBN0-06-045499-7.
^ abcAntoine, André (1964). Memories of The Théâtre Libre. Coral Gables, Florida: University of Miami Press.
^ abcdBraun, Edward (1982). The Director and the Stage. New York: Holmes & Meier Publishers. pp. 22-36. ISBN0-8419-0800-1.
^Waxman, Samuel Montefiore (1926). Antoine and the Théâtre-Libre. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.
^ abcdeMiller, Anna Irene (1931). The Independent Theatre in Europe: 1887 to the Present. New York: Ray Long & Richard R. Smith, Inc. pp. 12–96.
^Knapp, Bettina L. (1988). The Reign of the Theatrical Director: French Theatre 1887-1924. Troy, New York: The Whitston Publishing Company. pp. 17–62. ISBN0-87875-358-3.
^ abcdefghijValency, Maurice (1963). The Flower and the Castle: An Introduction to Modern Drama. New York: The Macmillan Company. pp. 108–111.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Théâtre-Libre.
March 03, 2023
théâtre, libre, french, free, theatre, theatre, company, that, operated, from, 1887, 1896, paris, france, plaque, dedicated, actor, director, andré, antoine, performers, montmartre, paris, contents, origins, history, notable, works, controversial, productions,. The Theatre Libre French for Free Theatre was a theatre company that operated from 1887 to 1896 in Paris France Plaque dedicated to the Theatre Libre its actor director Andre Antoine and its performers in Montmartre Paris Contents 1 Origins and History 2 Notable Works Controversial Productions 3 Influence 4 ReferencesOrigins and History EditTheatre Libre was founded on 30 March 1887 by Andre Antoine The primary goal of the theatre was to present new plays that were untried and unproduced by the commercial houses 1 Antoine was driven to open his own theatre company to create a dramatization of an Emile Zola novel Therese Raquin after the theater group for which he previously worked had refused 2 In order to ensure that the Theatre Libre was exempt from censorship and could produce plays that other theaters would not the theatre was supported solely by subscribers This allowed the Theatre Libre to collect no money at the door meaning it was not legally considered a theatre 3 Being a free theatre in the case of Theatre Libre meant being a theatre that presented naturalism and was dedicated to producing plays in any and all genres that had not been produced before and often were considered too much of a risk to stage 3 Henri de Toulouse Lautrec The Hairdresser Program for the Theatre Libre 1893 Playbills and posters were created by leading artists of the day with an un glamorized gritty realism that reflected the spirit of the theatre and its repertoire Among the artists that produced the most memorable works for its plays were Henri Gabriel Ibels Edouard Vuillard Paul Signac George Auriol Adolphe Willette and Henri de Toulouse Lautrec 4 First Performance Le Grappin l Affranchie for Le Theatre Libre 1892 93There are three chapters of the Theatre Libre s life This first is its opening with the first two programs in the spring of 1887 and the full season that followed 5 Antoine quit his job at the gas company to pursue establishing the Theatre Libre full time 2 The second is from October 1888 to June 1893 During this time the Theatre Libre established itself as a prominent theatre company whose subscriptions were robust produced many plays to general critical acclaim and was sought out to produce new work It was during these years that the Theatre Libre saw some of its work transferring to prominent commercial theatres in Paris such as the Odeon and the Comedie Francaise 5 The theatre s final chapter is marked from November 1893 to its close in 1896 During this time it was evident that the experimental days of the theatre had passed as the style and works produced by the Theatre Libre were now commercially acceptable and sought after 5 Due to the amount of debt acquired both on behalf of the theatre and personally Antoine turned the Theatre Libre over to Larochelle a son of an older director actor who had been eager to join management for the final two years of the theatre s operation 5 The last performance at Theatre Libre was on April 27 1896 2 The theatre presented more than 111 plays by more than 50 playwrights during its existence 3 Each production produced at Theatre Libre was only given three performances one dress rehearsal one opening night performance for invited guests and one performance for subscribers 6 However despite its achievements the theater had major financial problems The deep debt coupled with the idea that the Theatre Libre was no longer needed as it had proved that a new form of theatre could be acceptable and commercial was being produced the theatre failed and closed its doors 5 Notable Works Controversial Productions EditThe theater concerned itself with producing work that was considered too risky to stage by more well known theaters sometimes even works that had been banned in Europe such as Henrik Ibsen s Ghosts 3 The theater performed one foreign work per year and it staged only three performances of any production either a foreign or domestic work 7 Jacques Damour by Emile Zola adapted for stage by Leon Hennique The play focusing on a man fighting against his evil instincts was well received by critics 7 The Death of the Duke of Engheim by Leon Hennique This production marked the rebirth of the historical play but approached the history in a realistic way a precursor to documentary theater 7 The Kiss by Theodore de Banville This production one of Theatre Libre s biggest successes critically The fairy tale was received to standing ovations and very enthusiastic reviews 7 Paul Signac Application of Charles Henry s Chromatic Circle Theatre Libre playbill of January 31 1889 Tabarian s Wife by Catulle Mendes Another instant success for Theatre Libre The show transferred to the Comedie Francaise 7 Lucie Pellegrin s End by Paul Alexis Critics condemned this play and its production stating that the scandalous realistic portrayal of a homosexual relationship onstage was offensive 7 Christ s Lover by Rodolphe Darzens This mystery play depicting Christ and Mary Magdalene s love affair was deemed sacrilegious and offensive 7 The Power of Darkness by Leo Tolstoy While other thought this play too melancholy for French audiences Antoine embraced the Russian story 7 Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen While the play had been censored in Norway Germany and England due to its taboo subjects such as incest and euthanasia Antoine produced it to mixed reviews of both critics and friends alike 7 Miss Julie by August Strindberg Banned in Denmark 7 Influence EditThe Theatre Libre combined Realism with Naturalism and emphasized ensemble acting Andre Antoine its primary director became known as the father of Naturalistic Staging He sought to make every play as real as possible such as when real beef carcasses were used on stage Many sets were erected with four standing walls for rehearsals then Antoine would decide which wall to remove for the audience to see when plays began their run He also replaced footlights with more naturalistic lighting Antoine believed each play should have its own unique environment 1 The Theatre Libre was the first of its kind and inspired the opening many theatres including the Freie Buhne Free Stage in Berlin that opened in 1889 as well as the Independent Theatre Society in London that opened in 1891 1 Out of these two theatres grew Freie Volksbuhne Free People s Stage and the Stage Society in 1899 and the Abbey Theatre at Dublin in 1901 1 The influence in staging in realism and naturalism can of the Theatre Libre can be seen in the Moscow Art Theatre which was founded in 1898 by Constantine Stanislavski and Nemirovich Danchecko and still operates today 1 References Edit a b c d e Mowry Roberts Vera 1974 On Stage a history of theatre second edition New York Harper amp Row pp 388 416 ISBN 0 06 045499 7 a b c Antoine Andre 1964 Memories of The Theatre Libre Coral Gables Florida University of Miami Press a b c d Braun Edward 1982 The Director and the Stage New York Holmes amp Meier Publishers pp 22 36 ISBN 0 8419 0800 1 Waxman Samuel Montefiore 1926 Antoine and the Theatre Libre Cambridge Harvard University Press a b c d e Miller Anna Irene 1931 The Independent Theatre in Europe 1887 to the Present New York Ray Long amp Richard R Smith Inc pp 12 96 Knapp Bettina L 1988 The Reign of the Theatrical Director French Theatre 1887 1924 Troy New York The Whitston Publishing Company pp 17 62 ISBN 0 87875 358 3 a b c d e f g h i j Valency Maurice 1963 The Flower and the Castle An Introduction to Modern Drama New York The Macmillan Company pp 108 111 Wikimedia Commons has media related to Theatre Libre Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Theatre Libre amp oldid 966325450, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
