Théâtre Le Temple

Théâtre Le Temple, now known as the Apollo Théâtre, is a historic performance venue located at 18 rue du Faubourg-du-Temple in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, France. The site has a long and varied history dating back to 1782, when Philip Astley, a former British cavalry officer, and his associate Antonio Franconi founded the first permanent circus in Paris, the Amphithéâtre anglais, on this location. Over the centuries, the venue transformed multiple times: it burned down in 1826 during a pantomime, later became a cinema called the Consortium in 1912, then a café-concert named Le Temple-Concert in 1922, and from 1930 hosted a cinema known as Templia, which operated under various names until 2003. In the early 2000s, the theatre was renovated into four auditoriums and became a prominent comedy club in Paris, hosting eight to ten shows per day and helping launch the careers of artists such as Omar et Fred, Clémentine Célarié, Jean-Luc Lemoine, Tomer Sisley, and Audrey Lamy. In December 2014, the venue was renamed Apollo Théâtre. Today, it continues to focus on theatre, comedies, one-man and one-woman shows, and young audiences, featuring both established headliners and emerging talents. The Apollo Théâtre also welcomes international comedians, including Dave Chappelle, Tom Segura, Aziz Ansari, T. J. Miller, and musician Mos Def. The venue remains a key player in the Parisian humour scene, offering a diverse programme of live performances.

The site of the Théâtre Le Temple, now the Apollo Théâtre, has a rich history dating back to 1782. It was founded by Philip Astley, a former British cavalry officer, and his associate Antonio Franconi as the Amphithéâtre anglais, the first permanent circus in Paris. The venue hosted equestrian games, trained animals, and clowns. After Astley left in 1793, Franconi took over, but in 1801 he moved to found the Cirque-Olympique. The original building burned down in 1826 during a performance of the pantomime L'Incendie de Salins. In 1912, a 500-seat cinema called the Consortium was established on the site. It was replaced in 1922 by a café-concert named Le Temple-Concert. From 1930, a new cinema called Templia coexisted with the theatre. This cinema operated under various names—Action République, Républic-Cinémas, Reflet-Républic, and finally Le République—until 2003, screening art-house films and short films in a single 350-seat auditorium. After 2003, the theatre was renovated into four auditoriums and became a Parisian comedy hub, hosting eight to ten shows per day. It played a key role in discovering many now-famous artists, including Omar et Fred, Clémentine Célarié, Jean-Luc Lemoine, Tomer Sisley, and Audrey Lamy. The programming alternated between established artists and young talents. In December 2014, the venue was renamed Apollo Théâtre. Since then, it has focused on theatre, comedies, one-man and one-woman shows, and young audiences. Many headliners have performed there, such as Jean-Luc Lemoine, Anthony Kavanagh, Rachid Badouri, Jason Brokerss, and Élodie Poux. The venue also opens its doors to American comedians like Dave Chappelle, Tom Segura, Aziz Ansari, T. J. Miller, and singer Mos Def.

• 2014

  Renamed Apollo Théâtre in December.

• 2003

  The cinema closes; the theatre is renovated into four auditoriums and becomes a comedy hub.

• 1930

  A new cinema called Templia opens alongside the theatre.

• 1922

  Replaced by a café-concert named Le Temple-Concert.

• 1912

  A 500-seat cinema called the Consortium is established.

• 1826

  The building burns down during a pantomime performance.

• 1801

  Franconi moves to found the Cirque-Olympique.

• 1793

  Philip Astley leaves; Antonio Franconi takes over.

• 1782

  Founded as the Amphithéâtre anglais by Philip Astley and Antonio Franconi, the first permanent circus in Paris.

A key venue on the Parisian humour scene, offering a diverse programme of comedy and live entertainment.

Product categories. Live comedy shows · One-man and one-woman shows · Theatre productions · Young audience performances

1. 1Apollo Théâtre official websiteapollotheatre.fr
2. 2Wikidata entry for Théâtre Le Templewikidata.org
3. 3Apollo Théâtre - Wikipedia (French)fr.wikipedia.org