Théâtre National de la Colline – Serious theatre

Théâtre National de la Colline is an important Parisian theatre. It is situated in the 20th arrondissement, founded in 1951 (today’s building opened in 1983) to decentralize theatre life and to create one relevant place of the theatre creation of the plays from the end of the 19th century till our days.

It is a National theatre meaning that it is funded by the state/ministry of culture (with only 4 other theatres in the country), it’s openly leftist with a diverse and well thought-out repertoire. At the moment the shows on the repertoire are: “Dans la jungle des villes” written by Bertol Brecht directed by Roger Vontobel in the main theatre and in the small theatre Des arbres à abbatre written by Thomas Bernhard and directed by Claude Duparfait and  Célie Pauthe.

This literature based theatre that doesn’t neglect quality acting, so if you don’t understand French it’s still worth visiting. Though you shouldn’t expect experimental theatre here. From the season 2009/10 there are some performances with English subtitles.

The present general director Stéphane Braunschweig defined his program as the one which will promote contemporary plays and openness to its public. There are often lectures, public reunions, thematic workshops and discussions with artists.

Except interesting theatrical program, Theatre National de la Colline is an architecturally powerful site, appearing around the corner in a small street where you wouldn’t expect big modernistic theatre hall.

If you are younger than 30 years or a student, the ticket price of € 13 is also inviting (in Parisian terms).