ENJOYING PARIS - CultureShock! A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette - page 246

THEATRE
Parisians have been flocking to the theatre since the 17th
century, when the Comédie Française was founded under
Louis XIV (http://www.comedie-francaise.fr). Performances
ranged from classic tragedies and political satire, to slapstick
and farce. Some productions were so risqué that Louis XIV
finally censored what could or could not be performed.
But Parisians loved all the offerings, and when they didn't,
they let their displeasure be known with catcalls, whistles
and generally rowdy behavior, becoming part of the
spectacle themselves.
Although audiences are better behaved these days, Paris is
still a city that appreciates live performances and has more
theatres than any other city in the world. No matter what
you wish to watch, you'll probably find it, from international
classics in elegant and historical surroundings to offbeat
performances in funky, non-mainstream storefronts. The
Comédie Française itself now performs at three venues
(see its website), with an expanded repertoire ranging from
the classics of Molière, Racine and Corneille to works by
playwrights such as William Shakespeare, Samuel Beckett
and Anton Chekhov. These are performed in French of course,
although there are performances in the original language
from time to time. For current and upcoming productions
at some 60 theatres in all parts of the city, access www.
canaltheatre.com.
La Cartoucherie in the beautiful Bois de Vincennes at the
eastern edge of Paris is a complex of eight theatres, staging
an imaginative range of international works, both classics
and avant-garde.
L'Odéon, Théâtre de l'Europe in place de l'Odéon, 75006;
http://www.theatre-odeon.fr. After a 30 million-euro
renovation, this venerable theatre glows with beauty. Its
mission is to 'bring to life the artistic heritage of Europe',
and it does so by staging international productions, often
in their original languages.
Le Bouffes du Nord: 37 boulevard de la Chappelle, behind
the Gare du Nord 75010 (tel: [phone]; http://www.
bouffesdunord.com) was “rediscovered” in 1974, after