The Théâtre de la Ville, a famous Parisian institution with a turbulent history, will reopen its doors in September 2023 after seven years of work and hazards, for a total cost of 40 million euros, the Paris town hall said on Thursday.
This theater built in 1862 in the heart of Paris, opposite the Châtelet theater on the homonymous square, should see the end of its work in March, announced the assistant (PCF) for the works Jacques Baudrier during a visit.
It must then receive, in May, the approval of the safety commission, the last step before the director Emmanuel Demarcy-Mota can regain possession of the premises, explained the architects Marie-Agnès Blond and Stéphane Roux.
The theater had closed its doors at the end of 2016 for three years of work and an initial cost of 26 million euros for the City, which will ultimately pay 36.
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"
It's not an identical repair: we brought additional tools
", underlines Mr. Baudrier who says he does not know "
of a heritage site which has not been a year late
".
The Second Empire building, restructured in the 1960s to accommodate a concrete amphitheater in place of the Italian-style room, was initially “
very polluted by lead from both eras.
We had to scratch all the walls
,” explains Stéphane Roux.
Covid-19 delayed reopening
In 2017, the Regional Health Insurance Fund (Cramif) also demanded to automate the hanger, the machinery that operates the sets above the stage, in order to avoid accidents.
From now on, the 60 poles that can support 27 tonnes of overload will be “
capable of performing three shows per evening
”, underlines Marie-Agnès Blond.
In 2019, the DAU artistic project, wanted by the management of the Châtelet, "
was not kind to the building
" with in particular holes in the walls and the parquet floor of the Salle de la Coupole, underlines Stéphane Roux.
Finally, it is the health crisis that explains “
the three years of delay
” and the additional cost, also linked to inflation, according to Mr. Baudrier.
In the reception hall, the stairs have been pushed back and the mezzanines readjusted in order to clear the view of the 1968 concrete step and to "
reconnect the interior of the theater with the square
", according to Marie-Agnès Blond.
The city of Paris finally decided to add a facelift, fully financed - 4 million euros - by advertising tarpaulins.