Behind the Curtain: 6 Women Who Helped Shape French Theatre

By definition, the work of women behind the curtain goes unseen. Yet their contributions have played a vital role in shaping both French and global theatre. From writers to directors, teachers to founders, their influence is undeniable. While the list of impactful women is long, to celebrate International Women’s Day we’ve narrowed it down to six of our favourites—each leaving their own, lasting mark on the stage.

1. Muriel Mayette-Holtz

Actress by vocation, Muriel Mayette-Holtz started her theatre training at École Nationale Supérieure des Arts et Techniques du Théâtre, before entering the Conservatoire National Supérieur d’Art Dramatique. At the age of 21, she joined the Comédie-Française. Later, she became an acting teacher at the Conservatoire national supérieur d’art dramatique, and she directed several plays. At the Comédie-Française, she played in Molière’s Le Malade Imaginaire, Sartre’s Huis Clos et she directed Bérénice, as well as other plays. In 2006, she became the first female director of the Comédie-Française.

Muriel Mayette-Holtz’s remarkable journey at the Comédie-Française is a testament to the theatre’s enduring legacy. As the first woman to direct this storied institution, she brought fresh vision to the stage while upholding its deep-rooted traditions. The Comédie-Française remains a pillar of French theatre, where timeless classics and contemporary productions continue to captivate audiences. Today, those eager to experience this legendary stage firsthand can still witness the magic of Molière, Racine, and more—just as Mayette-Holtz once did, both as an actress and director.

2. Silvia Monfort

Silvia Monfort was a key figure in the decentralization movement, aiming to make theatre accessible beyond wealthy Parisian audiences. Using her film star status for good, she opened La Cour des Miracles in 1974 and Le Carré Silvia Monfort in 1983, which then became the Théâtre Silvia Monfort after her death.

A champion of affordable high art, she ensured low ticket prices—a tradition that continues today. For just €17, audiences can experience interpretive dance (Zonder), traditional Korean music (The New Path), Bach mixed with juggling (Sarabande), or a musical space odyssey (16 Levers du soleil). She was also awarded the Croix de Guerre by President Charles de Gaulle for her resistance work during World War II.

3. Marguerite Duras

Marguerite Duras (1914–1996) was one of the most notable and celebrated writers of the 20th century. During her life she produced over 70 novels, plays, and films, exploring themes of love, loneliness, memory, and desire. Her writing is at once minimalist and poetic, breaking away from conventional storytelling, constantly pushing the boundaries of the medium she employs. In 1983, she was awarded the Grand Prix du Théâtre by the Académie française for her contributions to theatre.

4. Colette

While Colette (1873–1954) is best known for her novels, she also played a significant but underrated role in French theatre. She adapted several of her books into plays, most notably Gigi (1951), for which she personally chose the then-unknown Audrey Hepburn. Her characters were often emancipated, intelligent and complex, challenging conventional expectations of female protagonists. Many of her stories also explored female bisexuality and homosexuality—groundbreaking and scandalous themes in early 20th-century France.

5. Marie Bell

Born in 1900, Marie Bell was a distinguished French actress and stage director who shaped the direction of theatre in France, preserved classical works, and used her influence for cultural and political causes. After her professional training, she joined the Comédie-Française before taking on the role of director at the Théâtre du Gymnase in Paris in 1962. Ever-committed to French theatre, she held this position until her death in 1985, and the theatre was renamed Théâtre du Gymnase Marie Bell in her honour. If Bell’s stellar record is not impressive enough, she was awarded the Legion of Honour by President Charles de Gaulle for her courageous work in the French Secret Service during the Second World War.

6. Ariane Mnouchkine

In May 1964, Ariane Mnouchkine founded the Théâtre du Soleil, which, as its website states, distinguishes itself for being “from the outset organized as a cooperative where the rights and duties of everyone are the same.” The Théâtre du Soleil is a revolutionary theatre company that emphasizes collective creation, political engagement, and multicultural influences. From this community spirit emerged a great number of works, pertinent for their political engagement, multicultural influence or acknowledgement of social issues. In 2024, Théâtre du Soleil celebrated its 60-year anniversary, with Mnouchkine cementing her status as one of France’s most renowned directors.

Although many other unseen women have helped shape French theatre, these six—Muriel Mayette-Holtz, Silvia Monfort, Marguerite Duras, Colette, Marie Bell, and Ariane Mnouchkine— have each played pivotal roles. As actors, directors, writers, and founders, they broke barriers and redefined theatrical norms. Their lasting contributions continue to influence theatre today, from postmodernist scriptwriting to affordable ticket prices.

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