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ANTOINE - 1906 : 1906: "The Second Théâtre Français must be an instrument of learning and literary education. I wish to make it one of those famed stages with vast repertoire, inhabited by great works. And I shall find a field here for experimenting with stage direction, performance, lighting and portrayal."

André Antoine introduced a complete change to the auditorium. Three hundred seats were sacrificed in the interests of comfort and elegance. The electrical facilities could produce lighting effects unknown in any other theatre at the time.

These were seven years when the man who had founded the "Théâtre Libre" gained recognition as the most prominent figure in the official world of the theatre. He brought more actors to the theatre company, recruited stage hands and extras and set up a reading committee to develop contemporary repertoire.


In December 1906, the premiere performance of "Jules César" mobilised more than 500 extras and seventy technicians and stage-hands, after six months of preliminary study and rehearsal; this provides a perfect illustration of the importance which Antoine attached to staging and stage direction as a priority ahead of any financial considerations. Antoine was ready to adopt many daring stands, including stage sets, costumes (such as draped nudes) and lighting.