The Theatre > History

The official decree of January 31, 1978, placed the Odéon theatre under the administrative responsibility of a director appointed as "General Administrative Director of the Comédie Française". Pierre Dux returned for one season; then came Jacques Toja who remained until 1983. The Odéon always premièred two or three original Théâtre Français works, but also pursued its duty to present international and provincial companies, and had the opportunity to mount its own productions.

In 1977, audiences discovered the famous Piccolo Teatro production of "Arlecchino servitore di due padroni", while 1978 brought the "Trilogie de la Villégiature", both directed by Strehler.

In 1979, Antoine Vitez was the revelation, directing "Dave au bord de la mer" by Kalisky, and a youthful playwright named Bernard Marie Koltès brought "La Nuit juste avant les forêts" directed by Jean-Luc Boutté. A reading committee, led by Jacques Baillon, was set up to decide on the programming for the Petit Odéon.