Molière's Dom Juan - Théâtre Le Ranelagh

Location

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

Duration

1 hour and 25 minutes

No intermission

Details

Classic

Suitable for ages 10 and up

French with no subtitles

Highlights: Molière's Dom Juan

Performing again at the theatre Le Ranelagh, young Italian noble Dom Juan, accompanied by his squire Sganarelle, departs on a conquest not for glory or honour, but rather conquests of the heart. Not a knight in shining armour seeking out his princess. On the contrary, Dom Juan and his companion are much more interested in adding women to their list of beautiful peasant women they have seduced, only to promptly leave them behind! Will his wrongdoings catch up with him in the end?

Story: Molière's Dom Juan

Dom Juan has just left his most recent wife, Elvire, whom he stole from a convent. Elvire’s band of brothers are constantly on his tail to avenge their dishonoured sister… yet that doesn't stop our young Dom Juan and his sidekick from further shenanigans. For this seducer, loyalty is a prison, yet marriage proposals are plentiful!
Having returned back to his bachelor pad, Dom Juan finds himself confronted by everyone he has wronged, urging him to follow a righteous honorable path. Instead of heeding their words, Dom Juan resorts to mockery and hypocrisy. Will he be punished for his behavior, or will all be forgiven?

In this circus-filled delightful piece playing at the Theatre Le Ranelagh, French playwright Molière picks fun at religion, medecine, temptation, hypocrisy, and the feeble conquests of the heart. As a true reflection of the qualities and faults of mankind, Dom Juan is neither a hero, nor a villain, neither good nor bad, he serves to mirror society in a way only Molière could conjure up!

Reviews

Extraordinary

A lively production combining the arts of circus, song and dance to create an atmosphere both light and menacing. A wonderful revisiting of the classic that pleased even the younger crowd I brought with me!

Nounouette

Colorful comedy

An interpretation full of humour, expressive characters were played marvellously, bravo to all the actors!

Boisdautomne

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 the theatre Le Ranelagh?

Le Ranelagh is accessible by line 9 and the RER C, and the easiest metro stations are La Muette (Line 9) or Boulainvilliers (RER C). Our hotline can be reached in case of difficulty finding the theatre from 10 am to 7pm Paris time. For details, we invite you to consult the map above.

What do I do when I get to the theatre Le Ranelagh?

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.

How long does Dom Juan last?

Dom Juan lasts one hour and twenty-five minutes with no intermission.

Is Dom Juan for travelers or French people?

Dom Juan is more suited for an audience with a high understanding of the French language, as it is performed exclusively in French. Although this is the case, if you think you could follow along, this would be a great opportunity to discover the French culture from another perspective!

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.”