University of Virginia Library

12. THEATRES.

The representations commence at various hours between 6 and
8 o'clock, and generally last till midnight. As the hours for
opening the doors are frequently changed, the play-bills should
always be consulted beforehand.

The theatres present to the stranger a highly characteristic
phase of Parísían life, and he should on no account omit to visit
all the principal ones. As, however, some acquaintance with the
colloquial and slang expressions of every day life is requisite,
and cannot be acquired without a sojourn in Paris of considerable
duration, strangers are strongly recommended to purchase the
play to be performed, and peruse it carefully beforehand. Tresse,
Palais Royal, Galerie de Chartres 2, 3, may be mentioned as a
dealer in all kinds of dramatic compositions.

The best places are the stalls in front of the orchestra (fauteuils
d'orchestre), behind which are the stalles d'orchestre; those behind
the pit (stalles d'amphithéâtre), and those in front of the first tier
of boxes (fauteuils de balcon, de la première galerie). Ladies are
not admitted in all the theatres to the orchestra stalls.

It is a wise precaution, especially in the case of very popular
representations, to secure a good seat by purchasing a billet de
location beforehand at the office of the theatre, or at the principal
office (location-office des théâtres) in the morning. The visitor
should be careful to select a numéro de face and not de côté.

These billets de location generally cost 1 — 2 fr. more than an
bureau, i. e. at the door, but the purchaser has the satisfaction
of knowing that his seat is reserved. Strangers are particularly
cautioned against purchasing tickets from "valets de place" and
similar individuals, who frequently hover about in the vicinity of
the theatres and endeavour to impose on the public.

The Parterre or pit is always crowded. Those who wish to
secure a tolerable seat in this part of the theatre should be at
the door at least an hour before the commencement of the play,
and, with the exact entrance-money in hand, fall into the rank
(faire queue) of other expectants. Frequenters of the pit, on
leaving the theatre between the acts, usually secure their seats
by attaching their handkerchiefs to the bench.

In order to become acquainted with the internal arrangements
of each theatre, the stranger should consult the plan of the building
at the office. Most of them have their premières, deuxièmes,
troisièmes de face or de côté (box-places in the first, second or
third row, in front or at the side), baignoires or loges de rez-dechaussée
(pit-boxes) etc. The best places for ladies are the boxes
and the fauteuils de balcon.

The Claque (or les Romains), or paid applauders, form an
annoying, although characteristic feature in most of the theatres.
They usually occupy the best seats in the pit and are easily recognized
by the simultaneous and energetic concussions of their
vulgar palms. There are even "entrepreneurs de succès dramatiques",
a species of mercantile adventurers who furnish theatres with claques
at stated terms. Strange as it may seem to the English visitor,
all attempts to abolish this nuisance have hitherto failed.

Paris contains upwards of 30 theatres. In consequence, however,
of a decree of January 7th., 1864, the number will soon
increase (comp. p. 29), additional facilities for the erection of new
theatres being thereby granted, and certain monopolies abolished.
A list of the most important, according to the order fixed by
the police, is here annexed.

The Opéra, Rue Lepelletier 12 and Rue Drouot (Pl., red 7),
to the N. of the Boulevard des Italiens ("Grand-Opéra, Académie
impériale de Musique"), was founded in 1671, and, in consequence
of the murder of the Duc de Berry (p. 99), removed to its present
site in 1821. The building will eventually be superseded by a
new structure near the Boulevard des Capucines, opposite the Rue
de la Paix, now in course of construction and to be completed
in 1871. The government contributes 800,000 fr. (32,000 L.)
annually towards its support, to which 100,000 fr. (4000 L.) is
added by the Emperor from the civil list; the gross annual receipts
are about 1,200,000 fr. The staff of performers is about
250 in number; a good tenor receives a salary of 80,000 fr.
(3200 L.); composers and authors of new pieces are each paid

500 fr. (20 L.) for each of the first forty, and 200 fr. for each
subsequent representation. The scenery and ballet are unrivalled.
The house is capable of accommodating 1950 persons. Office
in the Rue Drouot, generally open at 10 a. m. Representations
on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Stalles d'amphithéâtre
12 fr. (location 14 fr.); stalles d'orchestre 10 fr. (location 12 fr.);
pit (seats numbered) 5 fr. (location the same).

The Théâtre Français, Rue Richelieu 6, in the new Place
de l'Impératrice (Pl., white 7), on the S.W. side of the Palais
Royal, was at one time exclusively devoted to the highest order
of dramatic composition. Although this is now no longer the
case, it is still considered to occupy the highest rank, and the
government contributes 240,000 fr. to its support; the acting is
admirable and the plays generally are of the best description.
The actors style themselves "comédiens ordinaires de l'Empereur".
This theatre was founded in 1600, and was under the superintendence
of Molière from 1658 until his death in 1673. Voltaire's
Irène was represented here in 1768 and received with thunders
of applause; the author, then in his 84th year, was present on
the occasion. — Seats for 1500. Fauteuils d'orchestre 5 fr. (location
7 fr.), stalles d'orchestre 4 fr., parterre 2 fr. 50 c.

The Odéon, Place de l'Odéon (Pl., white 8), near the Palais
du Luxembourg, ranks next to the Théâtre Français, and is devoted
principally to the performance of the most classical dramas.
One of the reasons which Louis XVI. assigned for the erection
of this theatre in 1779 was, "que nos sujets, avant d'entrer et en
sortant du spectacle, auront à proximité une promenade dans les
jardins du Luxembourg". The "promenade en sortant" is, however,
no longer practicable, as the Luxembourg gardens are closed
at sunset. — Seats for 1700. Fauteuils d'orchestre (to which
ladies are admitted) 5 fr.; (location 7 fr.), parterre 2 fr. (location
3 fr.); no representations in summer.

The Opéra Comique, Place Boieldieu or des Italiens
(Pl., red 7), is devoted to the performance of the lesser operas,
the Dame Blanche, Postillon de Lonjumeau, Fra Diavolo, Domino
Noir, Etoile du Nord etc. It receives an annual contribution of
240,000 fr. from government. — Seats for 1800. Fauteuils d'orchestre
6 fr. (location 8 fr.), fauteuils de balcon 7 fr. (location
8 fr.), fauteils de la première galerie 7 fr. (location 8 fr.); stalles
d'orchestre 4 fr. (location 5 fr.) parterre 2½ fr.

The Théâtre Italien or Italian Opera, is situated to the S.
of the Boulevard des Italiens, in the Place Ventadour (Pl., red 5):
entrance on the N. side from the Rue Neuve St. Augustin, on
the S. from the Rue des Petis Champs. Representations on Tuesdays,
Thursdays and Saturdays; performances of the highest
class; admirable staff of performers. The claque (p. 26) has

happily been banished from this theatre. When Mlle. Patti sings
the prices are considerably raised. — Seats for 1700. Fauteuils
d'orchestre (ladies admitted) and stalles de balcon 12 fr.; stalles
d'orchestre (formerly the parterre) 6 fr. Location not more expensive;
1re loge 15, 2de loge 9, 3me loge 5 fr.

The Théâtre Lyrique, Place du Châtelet (Pl., white 7),
is destined for the operas of French composers, and for those of
Mozart and Weber. It was founded as a Théâtre Historique by
Alex. Dumas in 1847, on the Boulevard du Temple, whence it
was removed to the present building in 1862. — Seats for 1600.
Ladies admitted to all. Fauteuils d'orchestre 6 fr. (location 7 fr.);
parterre 2½ fr.

The Théâtre du Gymnase Dramatique, Boulevard Bonne
Nouvelle 38 (Pl., red 7), for vaudevilles and comedies, is deserving
of commendation. Its pieces are frequently deemed worthy
of being represented in the Théâtre Français. Scribe wrote most of
his plays for this theatre, which enabled him to amass a considerable
fortune. His country-seat at Céricourt bore the inscription:

Seats for 1000. Fauteuils d'orchestre and de balcon 7 fr. (location
8 fr.); stalles d'orchestre 5 fr. (location 6 fr.), parterre
2 fr. 50 c. (location 3 fr.).

Théâtre du Vaudeville, Rue Vivienne 29, Place de la
Bourse (Pl., red 7). The present building is about to be taken
down to make room for the new Rue Réaumur, and will eventually
be superseded by a new structure, already commenced, at
the corner of the Chaussée d'Autin and the Boulevard des Capucines.
— Seats for 1300. Fauteuils d'orchestre and de galerie
5 fr. (location 7 fr.).

Théâtre des Variétés, Boulevard Montmartre 7 (Pl., red 7),
for Vaudevilles and farces. Seats for 1240. Fauteuils d'orchestre
and de balcon 5 fr. (location 7 fr.), parterre 2 fr. 50 c.

Théâtre du Palais Royal, at the N.W. corner of the
Palais Royal 74, 75 (Pl, white 7), a small but very popular
theatre for Vaudevilles and farces, occasionally not altogether of
an unexceptionable description. Seats for 950. Stalles and
loges de balcon, and loges de galerie and d'orchestre 5 fr. (location
6 fr.); parterre 2 fr.

Théâtre de la Porte St. Martin, Boulevard St. Martin
16, 18 (Pl., red 9), for plays and ballet, one of the largest in
Paris. The best pieces of Victor Hugo, Alex Dumas and other
eminent dramatists were here performed for the first time. — Seats
for 1800. Fauteuils de balcon 5 fr. (location 7 fr.); fauteuils
d'orchestre 5 fr. (location 8 fr.); parterre 2 fr.

Théâtre de la Gaîté, Square des Arts et Métiers (Pl.,
red 9), for melodramatic pieces, newly fitted up in 1861—62.
— Seats for 1800. Fauteuils d'orchestre 4 fr. (location 5 fr.);
stalles d'orchestre 2½ fr.; parterre 1½ fr.

Théâtre de l'Ambigu-Comique, Boulevard St. Martin 2
(Pl., red 9), for melodramas and vaudevilles. Fauteuils d'orchestre
5 fr. (location 6 fr.); stalles d'orchestre 3 fr.; parterre 1½ fr.

Bouffes Parisiens, Passage Choiseul (Pl., red 5), adjacent
to the Italian Opera, for vaudevilles, comedies and especially
operettas. — Fauteuils d'orchestre 5 fr. (location 7 fr.), balcon du
2de étage 4 fr.; fauteuil du 2de étage 3 fr.

Théâtre Impérial du Châtelet, Place du Châtelet (Pl.,
white 7), for military melodramas, especially Napoleonic, magic
pieces and ballets. — Seats for 3352. Fauteuils d'orchestre 5 fr.;
stalles d'orchestre 4 fr. (location 5 fr.); parterre 2 fr.

Théâtre des Folies Dramatiques, Rue de Bondy 40,
for vaudevilles and farces, good comic acting. — Fauteuils d'orchestre
3 fr.; stalles d'orchestre 1 fr. 50 c.; parterre 1 fr.

Théâtre des Délassements Comiques, Boulevard du
Prince Eugène. — Seats for 500. Fauteuils d'orchestre 3 fr.;
stalles d'orchestre 2 fr.

Théâtre Déjazet, Boulevard du Temple 41, for vaudevilles
and farces. Avant-scène des premières 5 fr.; orchestre 1 fr. 50 c.;
parterre 1 fr.

Théâtre Beaumarchais, Boulevard Beaumarchais 55 (Pl.,
white 10), for farces and vaudevilles. — Fauteuils d'orchestre
2 fr. 25 c.; stalles d'orchestre 1 fr. 75 c.; parterre 1 fr.

Théâtre Séraphin, Boulevard Montmartre 12, for ombres
chinois, magic lantern and marionette representations.

The following are of very recent origin (1865—1867), having
sprung up in consequence of the abolition of the former monopolies:

Folies Marigny, in the Champs Elysées, for operettas,
vaudevilles etc. Stalles d'orchestre 2 fr.; orchestre 1 fr. 25 c.

Théâtre des Fantaisies Parisiennes, Boulevard des
Italiens 26, for operettas and pantomimes. Fauteuils d'orchestre
and de balcon 5 fr.; stalles d'orchestre 3 fr.

Théâtre Robino, transferred in 1866 to the Boulevard de
Strasbourg, for vaudevilles and dramas. Fauteuils d'orchestre
2 fr.; stalles d'orchestre 1 fr. 25 c.

Grand Théâtre Parisien, Rue de Lyon 12, near the Bastille
(fauteuils d'orchestre 2 fr.), and Théâtre des Nouveautés,
Rue du Faubourg St. Martin 60 (fauteuils d'orchestre 2 fr. 50 c.),
both for vaudevilles.

These are the most considerable of the Parisian theatres. The
others of minor importance are principally situated in the suburbs.

The Cirque de l'Impératrice in the Champs Elysées at
the Rond-Point (Pl., red 3). the Cirque Napoléon, in the
Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire (Pl., white 9), the Hippodrôme,
to the W. of the Avenue de l'Impératrice, between the
Barrière de l'Etoile and the Bois de Boulogne (Pl., red 1), and
the Cirque du Prince Impérial (opened in 1866), Rue de
Malte 6, near the Boulevard du Prince Eugène, are also deserving
of mention. The representations are precisely similar to those of
English circuses; they are, however, worthy of a visit on account
of their tasteful arrangement and vast dimensions. The Hippodrôme
is the largest and is capable of containing 10,000 persons.
— Admission 1—2 fr.

Conjurers: Hamilton, Boulevard des Italiens 8, representations
at 8 p. m. (admission 1½—4 fr.). — Robin, Boulevard du
Temple 49 (admission 75 c. — 4 fr.).