Marigny, Théâtre

Marigny, Théâtre, Paris, theatre built in 1850 in the gardens of the Champs-Élysées. The son of Deburau took it over in 1858 and opened it under his own name, appearing there in many of his father's old parts, but it was not a success and soon became the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées (not to be confused with the later Comédie des Champs-élysées). Success continued to elude it until as the Folies-Marigny it became a home of vaudeville after the demolition in 1862 of the boulevard du Temple. It was pulled down in 1881, and a circular building intended for a panorama was erected on the site. This became a music-hall in 1896 and took its present name in 1901. In 1925 it was completely redecorated under a new owner and became the most elegant playhouse in Paris, with spacious approaches, a luxurious auditorium, comfortable seating, and an impressive cupola. The Comédie-Française used it for matinées and special performances, and moved there temporarily during the rebuilding of its own theatre in 1937 and again in 1974. From 1946 to 1956 it housed the company of Jean-Louis Barrault and his wife Madeleine Renaud. After renovation in 1964 it reopened as a home for plays, musical comedies, and operettas. Its productions have included Shaffer's Amadeus, Sartre's Kean, and Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac.