Legend of a Life (Légende d'une vie)

Legend of a Life
Théâtre Montparnasse

Show ended

French surtitled in English (See the page)

Location

Théâtre Montparnasse
31 rue de la Gaîté, 75014 Paris
Capacity 715 seats

Duration

1 hour 30 minutes

No intermission


Details

Modern drama

Recommended for ages 8 and up

French with English subtitles


Highlights: Legend of a Life (Légende d'une vie)

A journey to Vienna at the dawn of the roaring 1920s, this contemporary play is a returning favorite among Parisian theatre-goers. Austrian playwright Stefan Zweig delights with a story of family discoveries and self-acceptance, as young Friedrich tries to live up to his father's reputation as a literary genius and unearths some unexpected secrets.

Story: Legend of a Life (Légende d'une vie)

Imagine discovering one day that everything you thought you knew about your family was fabricated to hide a darker truth. Expert playwright tells the story of Friedrich, son of a national literary icon and his widow, an overbearing mother who only wants her son to live up to his father's reputation. Seemingly condemned to eternity in his father's literary shadow, Friedrich has large shoes to fill when his mother organizes a launch party for his very first work. After a chance encounter with someone painting a different tale of his revered father, however, all changes for Friedrich.

 

The legend that his mother has painted of Friedrich's father his whole life is diminished into a simple story of a talented, yet flawed man with many secrets. Will Friedrich breathe new life as the burden of his father's unmatched reputation is lifted, or will he crumble with the knowledge of the truth?

 

Wrought with literary influence and psychological reflection, this contemporary Austrian play by Stefan Zweig was first performed in France in 2017, and is now returning to the Parisian stage.

Reviews

Beautiful

A beautiful text from Zweig that I was not familiar with and superb staging, we were absorbed into the story of the 2 characters and didn't lose interest for a second. It's one of the best shows I've seen, don't hesitate...

Trenzalor
Wonderful show

A wonderful show that englobes the genius and atmosphere of Zweig's works, exceptional actors, original and meticulous staging

Mireille K

Théâtre Montparnasse

31 rue de la Gaîté, 75014 Paris

Théâtre Montparnasse


The Théâtre Montparnasse was designed and constructed at the end of the nineteenth century by the architect responsible for none other than a portion of New York's Statue of Liberty, it's no wonder the venue is now classified as a historical monument!

 

The theatre passed through a handful of managers throughout the 1900s before falling into the apt hands of Comédie Française member Myriam Feune de Colombi, who would add a restaurant and second smaller theatre to the venue and oversees the establishment to this day. The Théâtre Montparnasse is situated in the bustling Montparnasse neighborhood of Paris, on a small street lined with restaurants and theatres. With its varied show programme and onsite restaurant complete with panoramic vue of the quintissential Parisian street, its truly a Parisian venue not to be missed. The venue welcomes close to 150K spectators in 2017, and it's original plays have won many Molière Awards, the French theatre equivalent to the Oscars!

 

Fast facts

Capacity: 715

Handicap Accessible? Yes, please contact us to ensure proper seating in accessible areas

Air conditioning? Yes

FAQ

Subtitles or “surtitles”?

Surtitles (also called supertitles) are the theatre equivalent of subtitles. That’s because in French “sur” means “above”. At the Théâtre Montparnasse, the text is projected above the stage. Read more about surtitles here.

Where will I be seated and will I see the subtitles properly?

There are four seating categories available, each of which provides a comfortable view of the subtitles. The theatre is an English style auditorium, and Theatre in Paris guests are centrally placed to have an optimal view of the stage and subtitles.

How do I get to the theatre?

The Théâtre Montparnasse is accessible by lines 4, 6, 12, & 13, and the nearest metro stations are Montparnasse - Bienvenue, Gaité, and Edgar Quinet. Our hotline can be reached in case of difficulty finding the theatre weekdays from 10 am to 7pm Paris time. For details, we invite you to consult the map below.

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.

Can I purchase a programme?

An exclusive programme in English for Legend of a Life is provided free of charge for Theatre in Paris guests. It is a perfect souvenir, with insider information on the play, the show, and the venue.

How long does the show last?

The show lasts one hour thirty minutes with no intermission.

Is it a show for travellers or French people?

Both! The Théâtre Montparnasse is one of the most crowded private theatres in the city, and in the heart of the bustling Montparnasse district. Parisians come here from all corners of the city to see a show, and now you can too thanks to English subtitles!

Can I eat in the neighbourhood before or after the show?

Of course you can! The Foyer, the theatre's very own restaurant, is a dazzling hotspot before and after the performances, a perfect add-on to your theatre night. You might even bump into one of the actors or the director after the show! To book a table call +33 6 22 69 02 66.
Otherwise, the Montparnasse area is bustling with restaurants to try, check out the nearby Boulevard Edgar Quinet for a secret road filled with delicious crepe restaurants!

Is tipping customary?

While tipping is not mandatory, it is customary in Parisian theatres to leave a little something for the ushers, 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.”