Category Archives: Theater

Friday Finds 5

Posted on December 30, 2016 by Patricia Gilbert

Here were some of our favorite discoveries on our recent trip to Paris. Many of our new finds were in the neighborhood of the Haut (Upper) Marais. I’ve spent lots of time in the Bas (Lower) Marais, but only just … Continue reading →

Posted in Cuisine, Shopping, Theater | Tagged Bobino, Charme d'Orient, Cirque le Roux, Gigi crêpes de comptoir, Haut Marais, Marché Noir, Tammy & Benjamin | Leave a comment

La folie douce

Posted on November 30, 2012 by Patricia Gilbert

The Folies Bergère music hall in Paris staged its first musical review on November 30, 1886. While it’s still in business, its heyday was in the Jazz Age. It was originally planned as an opera house and opened as the … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Music, Theater | Tagged Édouard Manet, Folies Bergère, Josephine Baker, la folie douce, Maurice Chevalier, Paris | 1 Comment

Voir disparaître

Posted on July 8, 2012 by Patricia Gilbert

This week, I went to the Kabuki : Costumes du théâtre japonais exhibit at the Fondation Pierre Hergé – Yves Saint Laurent in Paris. It’s on until July 15, so you’ve still got a few days to check it out. Knowing … Continue reading →

Posted in Theater | Tagged Fondation Pierre Hergé – Yves Saint Laurent, Kabuki, Kabuki : Costumes du théâtre japonais, Yves Saint Laurent | 3 Comments

Faux amis

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Patricia Gilbert

Paris’ Opera Garnier is lit by a glorious crystal chandelier, designed by the architect Charles Garnier. The huge chandelier was criticized at the outset for potentially obstructing the view of the stage for those in the nose-bleed seats, as well … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Theater | Tagged Charles Garnier, Eugène Lenepveu, faux amis, Marc Chagall, Opera Garnier chandelier, Phantom of the Opera | 3 Comments

Le trac, cela vient avec le talent

Posted on October 23, 2011 by Patricia Gilbert

French actress Sarah Bernhardt was probably born on October 23, 1844. Her real name was Rosine Bernardt. Her birth records were destroyed in a fire in 1871 during the Franco-Prussian War. When she was later put forward for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, Theater | Tagged Alphonse Mucha, Bernhardt, le trac cela vient avec le talent, Legion d'Honneur, Pere Lachaise cemetary, Sarah Bernhardt, The Divine Sarah | 2 Comments

Se foutre en l’air

Posted on August 28, 2011 by Patricia Gilbert

Charles Boyer, born August 28, 1899, appeared in more than 80 films and received 4 Academy Award nominations. He got his start as a stage actor in Paris. Boyer’s film career picked up once sound film started, as his resonant voice … Continue reading →

Posted in Movies, People, Theater | Tagged Charles Boyer, french expression, se foutre en l’air | 1 Comment

Un faux frère

Posted on August 20, 2011 by Patricia Gilbert

Thomas Corneille, born August 20, 1625, had the misfortune of being brother number two when brother number one was one of the most brilliant dramatists of the 17th century. Thomas also happened to be a dramatist, just like big brother … Continue reading →

Posted in Literature, People, Theater | Tagged Académie Française, French idiom, Jean Donneau de Visé, La Devineresse, Pierre Corneille, Thomas Corneille, Timocrates, un faux frère | Leave a comment

Avoir le vent en poupe

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Patricia Gilbert

Le Théâtre de la Huchette, 5 rue de la Huchette, just a block away from Notre Dame, has been offering the same play since 1957, Frano-Romanian Eugène Ionesco’s anti-play La Cantatrice Chauve (The Bald Soprano). I first came upon this … Continue reading →

Posted in Theater, Travel | Tagged avoir le vent en poupe, Bald Soprano, Eugene Ionesco, La Cantatrice Chauve, La Leçon, The Bald Soprano, theatre de la Huchette, theatre of the absurd | 5 Comments

À tout seigneur tout honneur

Posted on February 17, 2011 by Patricia Gilbert

Jean-Baptiste Pocquelin is better known as Molière. He died on February 17, 1673. Playwright and actor, he lived his life half a step ahead of his creditors, despite having been born into an affluent family and having attracted the attention … Continue reading →