Théâtre de la Huchette
23 Rue de la Huchette, 75005 Paris
Capacity 85 seats
The Lesson (La leçon)
Théâtre de la Huchette
Until July 29, 2023
In French (Certain days surtitled in English)
Location
Duration
1 hour
No intermission
Details
Classic French play
For all audiences
In French (English surtitles on specific dates, see below)
Highlights: The Lesson (La leçon)
A seemingly innocent exchange in which a shy older teacher meets an outspoken student. Yet the roles are about to change in this surprising face-off! As the lessons become increasingly difficult, the insolent young student loses confidence, all while the teacher seems to be gaining vitality. Will one come out a winner in the end?
See the show with English surtitles!
Performances of The Lesson are surtitled in English every Wednesday.
If your group has 10 or more people, the theatre can also offer surtitling on other days. Please contact us at hello@theatreinparis.com to offer you this service.
The Lesson will also be surtitled in English on the below date:
- • Tuesday, July 11th
Story: The Lesson (La leçon)
This record-breaking play by Eugène Ionesco is the world's longest continually-performing show in a historic Parisian venue. A hillariously troubling commentary on a seemingly unremarkable exchange has been leaving audiences thinking for over 60 years! What was once a rather avant-garde new play, has now become a theatrical institution all on its own.
France may have changed, but this historic show surely hasn't. Since The Lesson began playing at the Théâtre Huchette, France has seen nine presidents and four oil crises, yet the show carries on with the same legendary decor, staging, and momentum. Join the over 2.5 million spectators who have seen this Ionesco play in the quaint little Théâtre Huchette.
Reviews
The venue, the piece, and the actors' talent is ageless, truly a wonderful moment
Claire
4 years ago
The 3 actors immerse us completely in the story of the play, which remains entirely relevant having played without interruption since 1957 in this very theatre. Played wonderfully by the actors, they mastered the art
Nicolas L.
4 years ago
Théâtre de la Huchette
23 Rue de la Huchette, 75005 Paris
Théâtre de la Huchette
A creative rebirth
Ending four years of Nazi occupation in 1945; during which censorship, curfews, and alerts practically suffocated all theatrical creation; the liberation paved the way for a creative explosion. Small theatres such as the Vieux Colombier, the Noctambules, Theatre Babylone and more began opening all over Paris, particularly in the Latin Quarter. That's when a fated pair cross paths, Marcel Pinard, the aspiring actor working odd jobs, and Georges Vitaly, the exiled Russian playwright. Pinard convinces his girlfriend at the time to rent out the legendary location at 23 rue Huchette so the two can create a theatre together, Vitaly the brains and playwright in the endeavor, with Pinard providing the location and his acting talent. The pair proves successful, and through the early 1950s the stage welcomed some of France's upcoming actors, including Jacqueline Maillan, Claude Gensac, Monique Delaroche, Pierre Mondy, François Chaumette, Jacques Fabbri, Michel Roux, and more.
A world-record theatre
Eventually Vitaly wants to move his successful plays on to a bigger venue, and he heads to the Théâtre La Bruyère. Under the sole direction of Marcel Pinard, the Théâtre Huchette takes a new direction featuring contemporary theatre. Marcel permanently unites his two leading new shows, Cantatrice Chauve and La Leçon, to create a record-breaking combo. To this day, these two performances remain the longest-running shows continually playing in the same venue, a world record!
An iconic venue
In 1975, Marcel suffers a heart attack in the theatre's tiny ticket booth. Following his death, the troupe battles to save the venue from being shut down and transformed into a restaurant for tourists. They proved successful, and this quaint theatre in the very heart of historic Paris continues to be a place of creative celebration. The headlining shows have become an institution in their own right, and welcome a full house an entire half-century later. This one of the only venues in the world welcoming generation after generation of French and international audiences to see the unchanged pair of shows, which were rather avant-garde at the time of their arrival on stage, and are now beloved classics! A quaint playhouse born in the post-war wave of creativity, the Théâtre Huchette is Parisian must-see, an entirely unexpected find in the very heart of the Latin Quarter.
Such an iconic and historic location though is not without a rumoured past! Tales have been told that prior to the Vitaly-Marcel takeover, the location of the theatre was used by monks of the nearby Saint Séverin church to bury treasure, and a witch is also rumoured to have used the cellar as a meeting point to preach an emerging new religion!
Fast facts
Capacity: 85
Handicap Accessible? Yes
Air conditioning? No
FAQ
Where will I be seated and will I see the subtitles properly?
In this intimate theatre, there is one general seating category available which ensures a comfortable view of the subtitles. Seating is generally on a first-come, first-served basis, and Theatre in Paris guests are invited to arrive early to ensure they are able to select their desired seats.
How do I get to the theatre?
The Théâtre de la Huchette is accessible by: Metro lines: You can take line 4 to Saint-Michel or line 10 to Cluny - La Sorbonne. RER: You can take the RER C and B to Saint-Michel - Notre-Dame. Bus lines: You can take the bus to the Saint-Michel stop served by lines 21, 27, 38, 85, and 96. Our customer service can be reached in case of difficulty from 10 am to 7 pm, Monday to Friday. For more information, please consult the map above.
What do I do when I get to the theatre?
We invite you to arrive 15 minutes before the beginning of the show, and present your voucher at the front desk. The theatre's English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats.
Is a programme included with my ticket?
Tickets for The Lesson do not include a show programme.
How long does the show last?
The show lasts exactly one hour with no intermission.
Is it a show for travellers or French people?
Thanks to English subtitles, both! This Ionesco production has been performed in French for over 60 years in Paris and on tour across Europe, enjoying endless success. The world-record show has become an international institution, a must-see while in Paris for both French and international visitors. With the English subtitles, forget about the language barrier and enjoy an amazing French night out.
This show is surtitled in English every Wednesday but if you’re looking to see this show with English surtitles on a day when there are no surtitles planned, it is also possible to add surtitles on a date of your preference if you have a group of more than 10 people! Group requests must be made through contacting us at: hello@theatreinparis.com
How far in advanced should I book?
Millions of audience members have already seen this incredible show, and it is always in high demand. We recommend booking tickets in advanced rather than waiting as dates tend to fill up very quickly in this small intimate theatre!