The Theatre > History

GIORGIO STREHLER : "It is a step towards human knowledge, a move to reassert the cultural identity of Europeans, as a multi-faceted, complex and contradictory identity, which can, despite this, be recognised as the red thread weaving our history."

For six months of the year, there was the "Théâtre de l'Europe" with Giorgio Strehler as artistic director, when the Odéon presented and co-produced productions by Europe's great stage directors. Under the decree dated June 16, 1983, the status of the theatre was formally set: "The Théâtre de l'Europe is a living crossroads for original European creative drama: it has a mission to foster joint work and projects by stage directors, actors, writers and other European practitioners of the dramatic arts for the purpose of presenting new, original works and bringing life to Europe's heritage in the dramatic arts.

The rest of the season was devoted to presenting different theatre companies and works co-produced by the Théâtre National de l'Odéon; François Barachin was director, until August 1986. The next season reverted to the status set in 1978, yet the Odéon continued to offer its stage to Giorgio Strehler and his Théâtre de l'Europe. Two spirits dwelled there together - the spirit of discovery and the spirit of repertoire. Jean Le Poulain was director, until March 1988, then Antoine Vitez until March 1990.