Hécube, pas Hécube at Comédie-Française

Hécube, pas Hécube at Comédie-Française
La Comédie-Française

Until July 21, 2025

French surtitled in English

Location

La Comédie-Française
1 place Colette, 75001 Paris
Capacity 879 seats

Duration

2 h 05

No intermission


Details

Classic theater

For an informed audience

In French surtitled in English, French and French Sign Language


This show is surtitled in English with smart glasses!

Thanks to the “panthea.live” system provided by our sister company Panthea, smart glasses for surtitling are available for Hécube, pas Hécube! While the performance is in French, it is entirely accessible to non-French speakers and hearing-impaired audience members as the smart glasses allow viewers to experience the show with surtitles in English, French, and French Sign Language (LSF). This highly innovative technology is available exclusively by Panthea and Theatre in Paris.

Hécube, pas Hécube at the Comédie-Française

We invite you to come and discover Hécube, pas Hécube, on the magnificent stage of the Comédie-Française, a Greek drama revisited by the Portuguese director Tiago Rodrigues.

 

Hecuba, Queen of Troy, is a tragic mythological character who has inspired many authors. Tiago Rodrigues, with his singular vision, offers us a new interpretation of this incredible character.
In this play, Hecuba is no longer just a victim of the Trojan War. She becomes a symbol of human resilience in the face of adversity. Exiled, enslaved, she bears witness to the cruelty of war and its consequences for individuals.

 

Far from the great epics, Rodrigues favours a more intimate approach, focusing on Hecuba's emotions and suffering. The director blurs the boundaries between past and present, mythology and reality. Through the character of Hecuba, Rodrigues questions the nature of violence and its consequences for societies.

 

Seneca's text, adapted by Rodrigues, is emotionally powerful. Rodrigues' direction breathes new life into this ancient myth. The themes explored in the play (war, exile, revenge) resonate powerfully with our contemporary world.

 

Hécube, pas Hécube is a play that invites reflection and emotion. It reminds us that the tragedies of the past continue to haunt us and that humanity, despite all its suffering, is capable of resilience.

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La Comédie-Française

1 place Colette, 75001 Paris

History and Fun Facts about la Comédie-Française
 

Founded in 1680 by Louis XIV, the Comédie-Française is the oldest active theatre company in the world. This French cultural institution, often referred to as “the House of Molière”, is a true French treasure.

 

The Comédie-Française is renowned for its classical repertoire, consisting mainly of plays by Molière, Racine, Corneille and Marivaux. These works, which form part of France's literary heritage, are regularly performed on the stages of the Salle Richelieu and the Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier (the Comédie-Française's other stage).

 

However, the Comédie-Française does not limit itself to the classical repertoire. It also presents contemporary works and adaptations of foreign texts. This dynamic approach underscores its dedication to innovation and its ambition to captivate an ever-growing, diverse audience.

 

The Comédie-Française troupe is made up of some of the most talented actors on the French stage. Trained at prestigious institutions like the Conservatoire National Supérieur d'Art Dramatique, these actors bring their characters to life with remarkable precision and profound emotion. It could even be said that they don’t merely perform their roles: they become the characters.
They are particularly renowned for their impeccable diction and their mastery of all theatrical techniques.

 

The Comédie-Française occupies the Salle Richelieu, located in the heart of the Palais-Royal in Paris. This Italian-style theatre, built in the 18th century, is one of the world's most prestigious theatres. Its salons, dressing rooms and stage have played host to the greatest actors and the finest plays in the French repertoire.
The Comédie-Française is globally acclaimed as a true ambassador of French culture. Its troupe frequently performs abroad and participates in international festivals, playing a vital role in promoting the French language and cultural heritage on the world stage.

 

The Comédie-Française is decidedly more than just a theatre; it is a true symbol of French culture. Its history, its repertoire and its actors make this institution a must for all theatre lovers. Whether you are passionate about the classics or curious to discover contemporary authors, the Comédie-Française is sure to win you over.

 

Fast Facts
Capacity: 879
Handicap accessible: Yes, please let us know at hello(at)theatreinparis so that we can inform the theatre and give you the best possible welcome.
Air conditioning: Yes
Heating: Yes
Coat check: Free service

FAQ

How do I get to the Comédie-Française in the 1st arrondissement of Paris?

Comédie-Française is accessible by:
Metro: Line 1 (Palais-Royal - Musée du Louvre station), Line 14 (Pyramides)
Address: 1 place Colette, 75001 Paris
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 the Comédie-Française?

As part of the Vigipirate Plan, we would like to inform you that personal belongings will be systematically checked. We therefore ask you to arrive at La Comédie-Française as early as possible to avoid any inconvenience caused by late arrival and the checking of your items.

We recommend that you arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of Hécube, pas Hécube. Show your ticket at reception and the staff of La Comédie-Française will take care of you.

How long does the theatre piece, Hécube, pas Hécube, last?

The theater piece Hécube, pas Hécube at the Comédie-Française lasts approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes, with no intermission.

Is Hécube, pas Hécube for an international audience or French speakers?

For both! La Comédie-Française welcomes audiences from all over the world. The play Hécube, pas Hécube is performed in French with surtitles in English, French and French Sign Language. Smart, connected glasses are used to view the surtitles. This technology was developed by Panthea and Theatre in Paris!

Is Hécube, pas Hécube accessible to all audiences?

The depth of the themes explored and the richness of the language in this play calls for a mature audience to fully appreciate all the subtleties and implications.

What are smart glasses and how will I be able to see the surtitles*?

The Comédie-Française has teamed up with Theatre in Paris' sister company, Panthea, to provide smart glasses for surtitling! A visionary breakthrough!
How do smart glasses for surtitling work? These smart glasses include a new technology developed by Panthea that enables surtitles to be shown in an individual spectator’s view, within the glasses, during a live performance. In addition to the surtitles, these Augmented Reality glasses can also be connected to a headset for Audio Description as well as display a video with sign language depending on the show. These features not only make performances accessible to a wider audience but also allow for audience members to have a personalized experience in a way that suits them best.

 

The theatre piece Hécube, pas Hécube will be performed in French with surtitles in English, French and French Sign Language via Panthea’s smart glasses.
*Surtitles (also called supertitles) are the theatre equivalent of subtitles. Funfact: In French “sur” means “above”.

Can I choose my seat when booking?

When purchasing tickets for Hécube, pas Hécube, choose your preferred category and you will be allocated the best available seats in that category!

Please note that 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.
If there are no available adjacent seating arrangements, our customer service team will contact you before the booking is confirmed.

 

You can find the seating plan in the theatre’s "photo" section on this page.
This seating plan includes category A and category C, the two categories available at La Comédie-Française. The best seats available in the chosen category (or equivalent seats) will be allocated to you at the time of purchase.

Is there a dress code at the Comédie-Française?

There is no specific dress code at La Comédie-Française, but proper attire is appreciated. Many Parisians will arrive directly from work, dressed in business casual or chic attire.

Is there a bar or restaurant at the Comédie-Française?

The Comédie-Française has a bar which is open 1 hour before the performance and during the intermission. The bar is not open after the performance.

How far in advanced should I book my tickets for Hécube, pas Hécube?

Comédie-Française plays are always in great demand. We therefore recommend that you book tickets in advance rather than waiting, as dates tend to fill up very quickly.