La Cigale

48°52′56″N 2°20′24″E / 48.882359°N 2.340131°E / 48.882359; 2.340131TypeConcert hallCapacity954 (everyone seated)
1,389 (some standing)ConstructionOpened1887Reopened1987Rebuilt1894

La Cigale (French pronunciation: [la siɡal]; English: The Cicada) is a theatre located at 120, boulevard de Rochechouart near Place Pigalle, in the 18th arrondissement of Paris. The theatre is part of a complex connected to the Boule Noire. The hall can accommodate 1,389 people standing or 954 seated. The orchestra floor has a scalable platform that can tilt and rise using a hydraulic system.

The Inrockuptibles music festival took place at La Cigale for over twenty years.^[1] La Cigale also hosts the Factory Festival.^[2]

History

• 1887: La Cigale was built on the site of the former Boule Noire cabaret, which was demolished to make room for the new theatre. When it was first built, La Cigale had room for approximately1,000 people and featured theatrical reviews.^[3]
• 1894: The theatre was enlarged and remodeled by architect Henry Grandpierre, and ceiling paintings were added by Adolphe Leon Willette. During this period, La Cigale featured performances by Mistinguett, Maurice Chevalier, Yvonne Printemps, Arletty, Raimu, and Max Linder.
• 1920: The hall was given over to operettas, vaudeville, and avant-garde evenings with Jean Cocteau. A cabaret opened in the basement of La Cigale in 1924, but closed permanently three years later; it was replaced by the small temporary La Fourmi (English: The Ant) music hall.
• 1940: La Cigale was converted into a movie theater specializing in B movies and Kung-fu films, and later, X-rated movies.

• 1981: The theatre's vestibule and auditorium were included in the list of French historical monuments on December 8, 1981
• 1987: La Cigale hosted a performance by the Les Rita Mitsouko band with the support of Jacques Renault and Fabrice Coat, two former antique dealers and cofounders of the famous Paris Les Bains Douches nightclub. The auditorium was modernized and a hydraulic system was added. The interior was redecorated by famed designer Philippe Starck. Corinne Mimram was appointed artistic and musical director.
• 2007: La Cigale partnered with French telecommunications company SFR for two years, during which the name of the venue was officially changed to La Cigale SFR.
• 2011: In January, Jean-Louis Menanteau became the new general director.

Performers

Entertainers who have performed at La Cigale include:^[4]

Concerts and performances recorded at La Cigale

References

External links

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