Comedie Francaise, Moliere, and King Louis XIV

Oldest Established Acting Company Survival at Theatre Francais

Sep 5, 2009

Comedie Francaise, started by Moliere, was officially founded in 1680 by royal decree of King Louis XIV, and performs to this day.

Moliere (Jean-Baptiste Poquelin), considered one of the greatest playwrights of France, spent 12 years touring with his acting company. During that time, he perfected his performance and writing skills.

When the company arrived in Paris in 1658, Moliere was its manager and lead actor. The Doctor in Love (Le Docteur Amoureux) is shown as the first of Moliere’s plays to be performed by the company for Louis XIV. The troupe performed at the Salle du Petit-Bourbon at the Louvre until it was set to be demolished for the museum’s expansion.

Comedie Francaise and King Louis XIV

In 1660, King Louis assigned use of the theatre in the Palais Royal (built by Cardinal Richelieu) to the troupe. The company was acknowledged as the very best for comedy performances, and Moliere the foremost comic actor. Moliere was performing in his last play, The Imaginary Invalid (Le Malade Imaginaire), during the evening of his death.

The company was ousted from the theatre after Moliere’s death in 1673, but his widow and manager kept it together. The king amalgamated it with the Hotel de Bourgogne acting company by royal edict in 1680. That is the year accepted for the founding of Comedie Francaise. As a result of the royal decree, it became a state institution with an annual subsidy and free use of the theatre at the Palais Royal.

Theatre Francais at the Palais Royal

During the French Revolution, the troupe split, but in 1799 the members reunited. Their venue at the Palais Royal was renamed Theatre Francais de la Republique. In 1812, Napoleon granted further subsidies. He also issued a decree that stated that the company’s primary purpose was to maintain the classical repertoire of Moliere, Racine, and Corneille.

Membership Criteria of Comedie Francaise

Each full company member holds a share of the profits and shares in duties and responsibilities. Only graduates from the French Conservatory are considered for membership.

With the merit-based membership, the actors undergo a year’s trial period that includes a formal debut. They then become a probationary member with a fixed salary. There is no set length of time for gaining full membership. Retirement pensions are awarded after 20 years of service.

Survival and French Drama Heritage

Theatre Francais at the Palais Royal has been renovated, refurbished, and then rebuilt after a disastrous fire in 1900. Comedie Francaise is still subsidized by the government. As a means of national education, it has to perform the classics a specified number of times each year.

The company survived financial difficulties, political turmoil, revolution, and war. It continues as the world’s oldest established theatre company. Its mission to preserve French drama heritage is still adhered to, but the classic and modern works of French and foreign playwrights are now also performed.

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The copyright of the article Comedie Francaise, Moliere, and King Louis XIV in Theatre History is owned by Kathleen Airdrie. Permission to republish Comedie Francaise, Moliere, and King Louis XIV in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.