Théâtre Le Ranelagh
5 rue des Vignes, 75016 Paris
Capacity 300 seats
The Imaginary Invalid
Location
Duration
1h 35m
No intermission
Details
Classic Theatre
For all audiences
In French surtitled in English (See dates below)
Highlights: The Imaginary Invalid
The famous play, The Imaginary Invalid at the Théâtre le Ranelagh offers a unique opportunity to enter into the French spirit through its humor, intelligence, and fun. Le Ranelagh presents the final work by Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, otherwise known as Molière, with its belligerent characters and biting banter, which paints a picture of the society at that time that heavily used subtlety and irony. This is a fierce satire that won’t fail to tickle your funny bone!
See the show with English surtitles!
The theatre piece, The Imaginary Invalid is performed in French with English surtitles on Friday nights at 8:45 p.m. (See exact dates below). Surtitling in English for groups is possible on request only by contacting us at hello@theatreinparis.com
The Imaginary Invalid is surtitled in English on the below dates:
- • March: 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 25th, 31st
- • April: 7th, 14th, 21st
- • May: 5th
Story: The Imaginary Invalid
In Molière's famous play, The Imaginary Invalid, Argan is a hypochondriac who wishes to marry off his daughter, Angélique, to the son of his doctor. Alas, Angélique is already in love with Cléante! In addition, Béline, Argan's second wife, has only one objective: to obtain her husband's fortune. As for Toinette, Argan’s feisty servant, her acerbic wit will reveal the true motives of all of her fellow characters… Don’t take our word for it – book your tickets for this eye-watering comedy, brought to you by Molière award-nominated director Jean-Philippe Daguerre, no less! This play is a joy for young and old alike.
Reviews
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 Théâtre le Ranelagh?
The Théâtre le Ranelagh is accessible by:
Metro lines: You can take line 6 to Passy, line 9 to La Muette, or the RER C to Boulainvilliers or Maison de la Radio Avenue du Président Kennedy .
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 Théâtre le Ranelagh?
We invite you to arrive 20 minutes before the beginning of The Imaginary Invalid, and present your voucher at the front desk. Théâtre le Ranelagh’s English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats.
How long does the show last?
The Imaginary Invalid lasts 1 hour and 35 minutes with no intermission.
Is The Imaginary Invalid for travelers or French people?
The Imaginary Invalid is performed in its original French but surtitled in English on certain dates (see schedule above) so that international tourists can enjoy this French classic too.
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
Where will I be seated and will I see the subtitles properly?
There are two categories available, each of which provides a comfortable view of the stage. The theatre is a French-style auditorium, which means that all seats face the stage, and Theatre in Paris guests are centrally placed in the balcony to have an optimal view of the stage and subtitles (on days which they are provided).
Can I take photos during The Imaginary Invalid?
In order not to disturb the artists and for the comfort of other spectators, it is forbidden to take pictures during The Imaginary Invalid. However, you can take photos of the Théâtre le Ranelagh before and after the performance, as a souvenir of your gorgeous evening at the theatre!
Is tipping customary at Théâtre le Ranelagh?
Tips are not mandatory in Parisian theatres. However, ushers will usually appreciate a small tip of between 2 euros and 5 euros, which you can give them when they’ve shown you to your seat.
Fun fact: the French word for tips is pourboire which literally translates to “have a drink”.