Les Théâtre de la Manufacture

Les Théâtre de la Manufacture
Name	Les Théâtre de la Manufacture
Location	Lyon, France
Opened	19th century
Capacity	300–800
Type	Municipal theatre complex

Les Théâtre de la Manufacture is a notable theatre complex in Lyon associated with experimental drama, contemporary performance, and actor training. Founded in the 19th century and repositioned in the 20th century amid cultural policy shifts, it has engaged with national institutions, international festivals, and prominent artists. The venue has hosted collaborations with theatres, companies, and conservatories across France and Europe.

History

The institution's origins intersect with the development of the Third Republic (France) cultural landscape and the urban transformations led by figures like Georges-Eugène Haussmann and municipal authorities of Lyon. During the early 20th century it adapted to the theatrical reforms influenced by practitioners associated with Constantin Stanislavski, Antoine Vitez, and the resurgence of interest in Bertolt Brecht and Jean-Paul Sartre. Postwar reconstruction and the cultural decentralization policies of André Malraux and Jack Lang shaped its funding and mission, aligning it with networks such as the Comédie-Française circuit, regional theatres like the Théâtre national de Chaillot and initiatives from the Centre National du Théâtre. Collaborations have linked the theatre to company founders and directors including Peter Brook, Ariane Mnouchkine, Roger Planchon, Jean Vilar, and institutions such as the Conservatoire national supérieur d'art dramatique and the École nationale supérieure des arts et techniques du théâtre. International exchanges connected it to festivals like the Festival d'Avignon, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Salzburg Festival, Venice Biennale, Berlin International Film Festival, and touring circuits to cities including Paris, Marseille, Strasbourg, Madrid, Berlin, Rome, London, Vienna, Barcelona, Brussels, Geneva, Zurich, Milan, Lisbon, and Prague.

Architecture and Facilities

The complex reflects successive architectural campaigns influenced by municipal planners, architects educated at the École des Beaux-Arts and practitioners connected to Le Corbusier and the modernist movement. Its primary auditoria range from intimate black-box stages to larger proscenium halls accommodating emerging scenography trends from designers associated with Adolphe Appia, Giacomo Torelli, and contemporary scenographers like Es Devlin. Technical facilities incorporate rigging and lighting systems akin to those in venues such as L'Olympia (Paris), rehearsal studios comparable to the Conservatoire de Paris, costume workshops modeled on the Théâtre du Châtelet ateliers, and production offices integrating management practices from institutions like National Theatre (London), Royal Shakespeare Company, and Opéra de Lyon. The site includes archives, a dramaturgy library resonant with collections at the Bibliothèque nationale de France, and audience amenities paralleling renovations at the Palais Garnier and the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées.

Repertoire and Productions

Programming spans classical texts by authors such as William Shakespeare, Molière, Sophocles, Euripides, Euripides (note: duplicate avoided), Anton Chekhov, Henrik Ibsen, August Strindberg, Jean Racine, Jean Anouilh, and Federico García Lorca, as well as contemporary playwrights like Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter, Tom Stoppard, Sarah Kane, Caryl Churchill, Tony Kushner, Heiner Müller, Edward Albee, A.R. Gurney, Martin Crimp, and Yasmina Reza. The house produces original works with directors and companies who have affiliations with Complicité, Les Gémeaux, Théâtre de la Ville, La Comédie de Reims, Théâtre du Soleil, Bouffes du Nord, and touring ensembles linked to The Wooster Group and Mabou Mines. Co-productions and residencies have brought in choreographers and directors from Pina Bausch, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Akram Khan, William Forsythe, and composers connected to Philippe Manoury and John Adams. Programming frequently intersects with festivals and contemporary music series like those at La Biennale de Lyon, Nuits de Fourvière, Musica Strasbourg, and the Festival de Cornouaille.

Artistic Direction and Personnel

Artistic leadership has historically included figures influenced by practitioners such as Jean Vilar, Roger Planchon, Antoine Vitez, Ariane Mnouchkine, Peter Brook, Robert Wilson, Luc Bondy, Krzysztof Warlikowski, Katie Mitchell, Ivo van Hove, Thomas Ostermeier, Claudia Stavisky, Olivier Py, and Oskaras Koršunovas. Resident companies and ensembles draw actors trained at institutions like the Conservatoire à rayonnement régional de Lyon, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Juilliard School, National Institute of Dramatic Art, and guest directors from Théâtre du Rond-Point and La Scala. Technical and design teams include scenographers, lighting designers, and composers who have worked with Gae Aulenti, Richard Peduzzi, Jean-Marc Puissant, Donnacha Dennehy, and Michel Portal.

Education and Outreach

The theatre has educational links with conservatories and universities including the Université Lyon 2, Université Lumière Lyon 2, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, École Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture de Lyon, and international training programs associated with the European Theatre Convention and Danish National School of Performing Arts. Outreach projects collaborate with municipal cultural services, youth programs inspired by initiatives like those at the Barbican Centre, community workshops modeled on Teatro Sociale, and accessibility efforts paralleling work at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club. It hosts masterclasses, public talks, and seminars featuring practitioners from Peter Brook, Grotowski Institute, Jerzy Grotowski, Ellen Stewart, Anne Bogart, and panels connected to organizations such as IETM and Circostrada.

Awards and Recognition

Productions and personnel associated with the theatre have received nominations and awards from bodies including the Molière Award, Laurence Olivier Award, César Award (for film-adjacent projects), Prix SACD, Grand Prix national du théâtre, Chevalier of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, and recognition from festival juries at the Festival d'Avignon and Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Collaborating artists have been honored with distinctions such as the Prix Pétrarque, Prince Claus Award, Golden Lion (Venice Biennale), and grants from the Centre National du Livre and DRAC cultural funds.

Category:Theatres in Lyon