“Did you know that the stones of this very theater once belonged to a different stage entirely?” I ask. The Théâtre de la Gaîté-Montparnasse stands before us. Its history is rich and unexpected.
In 1868 a café-concert opened here. François Jamin a lemonade seller was its founder. He cleverly used materials salvaged from the demolition of the 1867 World Exposition’s theater. This wasn’t just any café-concert. It quickly became a sensation.
The Gaîté-Montparnasse hosted legendary performers. Yvette Guilbert Fragson Dorville and Polin graced its stage. It was a launchpad for future stars. Maurice Chevalier Georgius and Colette all started their careers here.
The tradition of the revue thrived until 1899. Jamin’s first revue Vive la Gaîté was a huge success. That’s quite an accomplishment.
The theater’s popularity waned in the 1930s. It almost disappeared. Then after World War II it found new life. Agnès Capri a student of Charles Dullin transformed it. She created a space for avant-garde theater. It became a haven for sketches songs parodies and poetry recitals. Alphonse Allais Courteline Apollinaire Prévert Desnos and Jean Tardieu were among the featured artists. Even Roland Petit created choreography here. Juliette Gréco made her theatrical debut at the Théâtre de la Gaîté-Montparnasse.
Financial difficulties followed. But the theater didn’t give up. In 1958 it reopened completely renovated and modernized. Michel Fagadau directed the theater until 1995. Threatened with demolition in 1988 it survived thanks to the efforts of the performing arts community. Since 1998 Louis-Michel Colla has been its director. In 2003 the theater underwent another complete renovation. The building itself is listed as a historical monument since 1984.
This unassuming building has witnessed a century and a half of theatrical history. From café-concert to avant-garde to its current success. The Théâtre de la Gaîté-Montparnasse is a testament to the enduring power of performance. It’s a Parisian gem a hidden treasure. Isn’t that remarkable?