Andre Antoine

André Antoine , 1858-1943, French theatrical director, manager, and critic. In opposition to the teachings of the Paris Conservatory, he formed (1887) his own company, the Théâtre Libre . There he presented, by private subscriptions, foremost works of the naturalistic school. He emphasized an intimate style of acting and a realistic use of space and tried to eliminate grand posturing. Financial failure forced him to relinquish the theater (1894). In 1897 he founded the Théâtre Antoine, where he continued the tradition of his Théâtre Libre for 10 years. He was director (1906-14) of the Odéon in Paris and after World War I became a respected drama critic.

Antoine, André (1858–1943), French actor, director, and theatre manager, one of the outstanding figures in the theatrical reforms of the late 19th century. In 1887 he founded the Théâtre Libre for productions of the new naturalistic drama then coming to the fore in Europe. Here in 1890 he staged Ibsen's Ghosts, playing Oswald himself. In 1890 Antoine took over the Théâtre des Menus-Plaisirs, built on what is now the boulevard de Strasbourg in 1866, renaming it the Théâtre Antoine in 1896, and making it a centre for many young dramatists. From 1906 until his retirement in 1916 he was director of the Odéon.

The Théâtre Antoine had other brilliant periods of management under Firmin Gémier from 1906, and from 1943 onwards under Simone Berriau, when it was an important focus of Existentialism. She was succeeded on her death in 1984 by her daughter and son-in-law. The theatre has staged the work of authors such as Tennessee Williams (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof), Arthur Miller (A View from the Bridge), and Stoppard (Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead).