Ever felt the thrill of a Parisian premiere? The Theatre Saint-Georges whispers tales of such moments.
Right here before us stands the Theatre Saint-Georges a jewel of Parisian theatre. It opened in 1929. Its location boasts a rich history. Before the theatre there was a shop then a private mansion. The theatre was built by Camille Choisy a former director of the Grand Guignol. Charles Siclis the architect designed a modern space.
The initial production was a surprise. A play called A Night of Edgar Poe by Andre de Lorde. It was chosen by Choisy himself. The theatre’s initial success was modest. One anecdote tells of a unique problem. The staircase took up most of the building. The stage was almost an afterthought. A playwright Robert Vattier even got paid for months for doing nothing while the theatre was built.
Benoit-Leon Deutsch took over in 1929. He successfully shifted the programming to boulevard comedies. This proved very popular. The theatre thrived. It even survived the Occupation. Different directors steered the theatre through those years. It reopened in 1941.
Mary Morgan took charge in 1943. Her direction shaped the theatre’s golden age. The play Patate was a triumph. Other successes included Croque-Monsieur and Tchao. She collaborated with many famous actors. Jacques Dumesnil Fernand Gravey and Michel Bouquet all performed there.
Francois Truffaut filmed his masterpiece Le Dernier Metro there in 1980. The film won many awards including best film best director best actor and best actress. This cemented the Theatre Saint-Georges’ place in cinematic history. The theatre continues to change hands. It remains a vital part of Parisian culture. New directors aim to keep the spirit of the place alive. They want to combine modern programming with the theatre’s legacy. The Theatre Saint-Georges promises many more premieres. Its story continues to unfold.