culture : Narbonne, ville ouverte aux arts
| Two visits to Narbonne convinced the former member of the Comédie-Française, winner of the Cesar best actor award in 1996, who has played Robert d’Artois (The Cursed Kings) and Jaurès for television, to become the patron of the city’s School of Drama. |
• What plays did Philippe Torreton act in Narbonne?
Philippe Torreton has been on tour three times in Narbonne, with « Hamlet » (1994), « The Impostures of Scapin » (1997) and « Sleuth » (2004).
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Philippe Torreton : "A real theatre, not just an anonymous playhouse" |
“ I don’t like uniformity, and I’ve always found shows to enjoy in the Narbonne Theatre, which has achieved recognition as a “ national stage ”. Their programme is deliberately varied to suit all kinds of audiences and it works really well. The glass building gets full houses. And I’ve found that the activities organised around the plays – debates, readings and the like – are just as well attended.
You feel you’re in a real theatre, and not in some sort of anonymous playhouse, like a few venues I’ve unfortunately come across, from time to time. I realised how rich the history of Narbonne was at a reception in the City Hall when I was here for The Impostures Of Scapin. Even Molière came here! ”
