Question: Ever wondered how a grand Parisian theatre came to be because of a love affair? That’s the story of the Thêátre Mogador.
The Thêátre Mogador is a Parisian music hall. It stands at 25 Rue de Mogador in the 9th arrondissement. This theatre is more than just a building. It is a landmark with a rich history.
In 1913, Sir Alfred Butt rented land here. He wanted to create a theatre in the style of English music halls. The original name was Palace Theatre. This was to attract British soldiers during World War I. Soon after it was renamed Thêátre Mogador. Mogador was the old name for Essaouira in Morocco.
The grand opening occurred on April 21 1919. Woodrow Wilson attended. He was the US President. He was in France to negotiate the Treaty of Versailles. Franklin Delano Roosevelt also attended. He would later become president.
The 1920s brought fame to the Thêátre Mogador. Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes performed here. The Thés Mogador afternoon performances gained popularity. These included operettas and plays. For a short time in 1923-1924 it was called Thêátre Cora Laparcerie. This was after its owner Cora Laparcerie. Then it took the name from its street address.
The Isola brothers reopened it in 1925. They introduced American-style shows. These included No No Nanette Rose-Marie and L’Auberge du Cheval Blanc.
Until the 1970s the Thêátre Mogador mainly hosted operettas. Mistinguett performed often. Marcel Merkès was a regular from the late 1940s to the mid-1970s. In 1983 a major renovation restored the building.
Stage Entertainment Group purchased the theatre in 2005. The Molière Awards took place here multiple times. These French theatre awards are also known as the Nuit des Molières.
A fire damaged the theatre on September 26 2016. The stage and props for The Phantom of the Opera were affected. The French premiere was postponed indefinitely.
The Thêátre Mogador has hosted many notable productions. These include The Ballets Russes No No Nanette and Les Misérables. Le Roi Lion has been a recent success.
The Thêátre Mogador can seat 1600 people. There are three tiers. The orchestra has 787 seats. The boxes have 432 seats. The balconies have 381 seats. The theatre stands as a testament to Parisian culture. It is a place where stories come to life. A place born of love that overcame tragedy and rose to new hights.