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Théâtre Libre (performing arts center)

Coordinates: 48°52′11″N 2°21′18″E / 48.8698°N 2.3550°E / 48.8698; 2.3550
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Interior of the Eldorado in the late 19th century.
The venue in 2011, then known as Comedia

Théâtre Libre, formerly Eldorado and then Comédia (or Théâtre Comedia), is a 934-capacity performing arts center located at 4 Boulevard de Strasbourg in Paris, France.

History

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The original venue was built in 1858 and became the Eldorado Café-concert in 1862.[1] It became one of the leading cafés-concerts, with its audience described by the Goncourt brothers in 1865.[2] In 1892 Toulouse-Lautrec produced an advertising poster for Aristide Bruant's performance there.[3]

Walter Sickert's 1906 painting "The Eldorado, Paris" depicts the patrons in the galleries.[4]

The original hall was demolished and reconstructed as a 2000-seat cinema in 1932–33.[1]

In 1993 the entrance hall and cinema hall were designated a Patrimoine du XXe siècle [fr] ("20th Century Cultural Heritage").[5]

In 2000 a new proprietor renamed the venue "Comédia".[1]

In 2007, American actor/director John Malkovich directed Ariel Wizman and Vincent Elbaz in Good Canary [fr] at the Comédia.[6]

Théâtre Libre

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In 2017, under new ownership, it was again renamed, to become "Théâtre Libre".[7]

In recent times, the venue has hosted artists such as R.E.M., Bon Jovi, Joan Jett and INXS.[8]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Le comédia Café-concert L'Eldorado". Paris-promeneurs (in French). Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  2. ^ McCormick, John (1993). Popular Theatres of Nineteenth Century France. Routledge. pp. 63–4. ISBN 0203168119. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  3. ^ "Eldorado: Aristide Bruant". Art Institute Chicago. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  4. ^ "The Eldorado, Paris, Walter Richard Sickert (1860–1942), The Barber Institute of Fine Arts". Art UK. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  5. ^ "Cinéma l'Eldorado". POP : la plateforme ouverte du patrimoine (in French). Ministère de la Culture. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  6. ^ "John Malkovich on stage, from Steppenwolf to the West End – in pictures". the Guardian. 2 April 2019. Retrieved 7 January 2024.
  7. ^ "HISTOIRE DU LIEU". Théâtre Libre (in French). Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  8. ^ "Search for setlists: L'Eldorado | setlist.fm". setlist.fm. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
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48°52′11″N 2°21′18″E / 48.8698°N 2.3550°E / 48.8698; 2.3550