The Doctor in Spite of Himself

Le médecin malgré lui The doctor in spite of himself Theatre le ranelagh paris
Théâtre Le Ranelagh

Until May 11, 2024

100% in French

Location

Théâtre Le Ranelagh
5 rue des Vignes, 75016 Paris
Capacity 300 seats

Duration

1 h 20 min

Without intermission


Details

Classic Theatre

For all audiences

In French

Surtitles in English for groups by request


Highlights: The Doctor in Spite of Himself

When you read a literary classic, you often wonder what the characters would be like and what effect the story would have on stage.
To satisfy your curiosity, trust Théâtre Le Ranelagh as they proudly present their annual classics!

 

Molière's The Doctor in Spite of Himself, directed by Charlotte Matzneff, offers a fresh take on the masterpiece using elements of Russian folklore: accordions, guitars, harmonica and balalaikas.
Molière leads his characters, Martine, Sganarelle, Lucinde, Thibaut, Perrin, Géronte, Valère and Jacqueline, into a series of misunderstandings creating a true situational comedy that will guarantee laughs for all the family!

 

 

See the show with English surtitles!

If your group has 10 or more people, the theatre can also offer surtitling on a day of your choice. Please contact us at hello@theatreinparis.com so we can plan your night out!

Story: The Doctor in Spite of Himself

Molière's most famous farce, The Doctor in Spite of Himself, performed at the Théâtre du Palais Royal on 6 August 1666, returns to the Théâtre Le Ranelagh to light up our faces with a smile for 1 hour 20 minutes.

 

Sganarelle is a lumberjack transformed into a doctor in spite of himself to treat Géronte's daughter, Lucinde, who is pretending to be ill. Sganarelle tries to use trickery and humour to deceive the characters but, alas, he unintentionally exposes each trick. Then finally at the end of the play... The Doctor in Spite of Himself, but we can tell you that you're in for a good laugh! Prepare yourself for the eight actors that will go wild on stage and present a great French classic.

Reviews

You will be swept away!
"The audience is carried away by the festive atmosphere of this show, where music and songs accompany the texts." - Translated from French
LA MUSE
A high quality show!
"The characters are hungry for pleasure, happiness, and success." - Translated from French
Gilles Costaz - WEBTHEATRE
To appreciate with the family!
"A comedy that Charlotte Matzneff infuses with Russian folklore, complete with costumes, music, dance, and a good dose of exuberance." - Translated from French
TÉLÉRAMA TT

Théâtre Le Ranelagh

5 rue des Vignes, 75016 Paris

History and Fun Facts about the Théâtre Le Ranelagh


Step into the grand auditorium of the Théâtre Le Ranelagh, and prepare to be wowed by the ornate carved oak panelling adorning the orchestra and balconies, as well as the intricately decorated ceiling. Looking around you, it’s not hard to believe that this building is listed as one of Paris’ 'historical monuments'…

 

The Théâtre Le Ranelagh is tucked away in the heart of Paris’ 16th arrondissement, a few paces away from the Eiffel Tower on one side, and the bois de Boulogne on the other. It is built on the site of the old Château de Boulainvilliers, the estate was at the time right outside the city and covered 8 hectares (almost 12 football fields!). The theatre itself is rich in history and over 120 years old, after being converted to replace the château's music room by the landowner of the time into his own private venue where he could invite all the best-known actors and musicians in Paris to play there for him and his friends. After his death, the entire estate was destroyed to make way for the expanding city of Paris. All, that is, except for the theatre which was miraculously saved, and to this day still stands in its original spot! Don't be fooled by the unassuming exterior, once inside the Théâtre Le Ranelagh you can feast your eyes on its original decor of plush red velvet seating and carved oak panelling throughout.

 

The theatre is designed in the French style, meaning all of the seats are directly facing the stage and giving the auditorium a rectangular shape. The venue also features a small bar in its foyer complete with a fireplace and enough seating for up to 80 people, perfect for a drink before the performance.

 

Not just a theatre…

For a time in the early 1900s, the theatre was used as a cinema, which was incredibly popular. The director of the world-famous film Les enfants du paradis loved the theatre, and often programmed the film to be screened there. The cinema tradition still exists at Le Ranelagh, and films are still screened there from time to time! In addition to film screenings and a show programme rich with plays by classic French playwrights, the Théâtre Le Ranelagh holds puppet shows for younger audiences and other community events.

 


Fast facts
Capacity: 300
Handicap Accessible: Yes, please contact us to ensure proper seating in accessible areas
Air conditioning: No
Heating: Yes

FAQ

How do I get to Théâtre Le Ranelagh in the 16th arrondissement of Paris?

Théâtre Le Ranelagh is accessible by:
Metro lines: Théâtre Le Ranelagh can be reached by metro lines 6 and 9 which run to metro stations Passy and La Muette.
RER subway lines: Théâtre Le Ranelagh is accessible by taking the RER C to either Gare de Boulainvilliers or Avenue du Président Kennedy Maison de Radio France.
Bus lines: Théâtre Le Ranelagh is accessible by the bus lines 22, 32, 52, 70, and N53, which run stations Les Vignes - Boulainvilliers and Passy - Boulainvilliers.
In case of difficulty, our hotline can be reached during our business hours. Please see the footer of this page for our contact details.

What do I do when I get to Théâtre Le Ranelagh?

We invite you to arrive 20 minutes before the beginning of Molière's The Doctor in Spite of Himself, and present your voucher at the front desk. Théâtre Le Ranelagh’s English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats.

Can I take photos during the performance of The Doctor in Spite of Himself?

In order not to disturb the artists and for the comfort of other spectators, it is forbidden to take pictures during Molière's The Doctor in Spite of Himself. However, you can take photos of the Théâtre Le Ranelagh before and after the performance, as a souvenir of your gorgeous evening at the theatre!

How long does The Doctor in Spite of Himself last?

Molière's The Doctor in Spite of Himself lasts 1 hour and 20 minutes, with no intermission.

For the surtitled performances of Molière's The Doctor in Spite of Himself, where will I be seated, and will I see the subtitles properly?

There are two categories available, each of which provides a comfortable view of the surtitles screen above the stage. The theatre is a French-style auditorium, which means that all seats face the stage, and Theatre in Paris guests are centrally placed in the Balcony to have an optimal view of the stage and subtitles.

Is Molière's The Doctor in Spite of Himself for international audiences or French speakers?

Even if Molière's The Doctor in Spite of Himself is played in French, it is still possible to see this show with English surtitling if you have a group of more than 10 people!
Group requests must be made through contacting us at: hello@theatreinparis.com

Is tipping customary?

Tips are not mandatory in Parisian theatres. However, ushers will usually expect a small tip of between €2 and €5, which you can give them when they’ve shown you to your seat. Fun fact: the French word for “tip” is “pourboire”, which literally translates to “to have a drink”.

How do I know if my seats are next to each other?

Tickets of the same category that are booked during the same purchase session in the same booking order on our website are always assigned side by side. To be sure of this, make sure all of your tickets are in the same category and are included in your shopping cart at the time of purchase.