By saying "the theatre of Paris" they usually refer to the legendary Opéra area of the city where the majority of the most famous French theatres are housed. And, of course, the most famous and spectacular theatre of the city of the Opéra National de Paris Garnier. The building itself is a true sight to behold. The awsome theatre was being built for the entire thirteen years, and you can imagine what is the result of such a tremendous work. The building of the Opéra National de Paris Garnier is decorated to accommodate the best troupes of the country that give performances to the cream of society: massive columns, mirrored walls, rich ornaments, freziers, marble mozaics, the impressive Giant Staircase and of course the traditional for Parisian architecture pastel coloured dome. Every literate person in the world knows that the thetre has been made a setting for the bestseller novel of Leroux, the Phantom of the Opera which has been recently transferred into a wildly popular musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber. Another attraction of the great theatre is its undeground lake that played the front role in the plot of Leroux's novel. The great theatre house can accommodate up to 450 performers at a time. Despite its having such an enormous size, the Opéra National de Paris Garnier is arranged in such a way that all the spectators can enjoy an unhampered view of the show freely.
A theatrical venue of Folies-Bergère is an old entertainment outlet known for its risky performances such as topless Cabaret girls doing a wild can-can. This scandalizing dance, however, can be rarely seen today, and nowadays the venue turned into a more family-visited theatrical spot. However, the daring dance that stole the limelights for its zesty performances back in the XIX century has been remade into a spectacular erotic performance in a renewed modern style. Check out the performance staged by Sam Mendes.
A breath-taking paris theatre Opéra National de Paris Bastille first opened its doors back in 1989. By now this performance venue retains the title of the biggest opera house in the world, and the standards of the theatre do stand up to this loud title. A gigantic fascinating construction made entirely of glass can accomodate up to 2700 spectators all of whom can have clear vision and hearing of what is going on at the stage thanks to a unique acoustic system embedded in every seat in the hall. The Opéra National de Paris Bastille is a perfect setting scene for the music by such great composers as Wagner and Verdi.
If you are looking for something strictly burlesque, get your ticket to the Théâtre de la Ville in Place du Châtelet. This theatre has once been known by the name of the famous French actress with an original way of performing, Sarah Bernhardt. This much lover performer was also running the theatre itself. She lived in the XIX century and was night the first woman to manage such a big theatrical enterprise.
For something more classic drop into the Théâtre du Châtelet in the neighbourhood of the Place du Châtelet. The history of this theatre goes back to 1862. In fact, this venue is a grand concert hall mostly for classical and chamber music concerts. The building has been recently restored and given a more contemporary style.
And the last, but not the least is the oldest and the most stylish Comédie Française in Rue de Richelieu. This venue has more than three centuries of history behind it, and only for this fact you should attend this miraculous place full of inimitable theatrical atmosphere. The performances are also fabulous, the range of things staged here includes both classic and contemporary plays by playwrights like Moliere and Tom Stoppard. |
