Diary of a Madman (Le Journal d'un fou) - Théâtre Le Ranelagh

Location

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

Duration

1 h 15

No intermission

Details

Classic Theatre

Recommended for ages 11 and up

In French

THIS SHOW IS IN FRENCH!

The show, Diary of a Madman is more suited to a French-speaking audience because it is performed exclusively in French. If you feel like you have a sufficient level of French to follow along—discover French theatre through this lovely piece!

Next dates

HIGHLIGHTS: DIARY OF A MADMAN

Venture into the twists and turns of madness with a masterful adaptation of Nikolai Gogol's Diary of a Madman at the Théâtre Le Ranelagh. Performed by two actors and a pianist, this play promises to be a thrilling theatrical experience.

Aksenty Poprichchin, a struggling civil servant in St Petersburg, gradually descends into madness. He invents a more desirable life for himself, until he completely loses all touch with reality. Recording his delusions in a diary, he gradually reveals the inner workings of a mind plagued by paranoia and hallucinations.

Ronan Rivière's expert direction brings Gogol's phantasmagorical world to life, catapulting the audience into the twists and turns of Poprichchin's madness. The stark set design, paired with intriguing lighting and potent sound effects, helps Rivière craft a jarring but engrossing atmosphere.

Ronan Rivière, Amélie Vignaux and Olivier Mazal deliver an incredible performance, playing Poprichchin, his maid Mavra and a virtuoso pianist respectively. They brilliantly explore the different facets of the character's madness, shifting between gallows humour and melancholy poetry with impressive sensitivity.

Diary of a Madman is not just a descent into the abyss of madness, but also a reflection on the nature of our social reality. Gogol invites us to question our own beliefs and to rethink the limits of what is considered “normal”.

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.

Here are some of our favourites playing this season!

• The Cid #Theatre #SurtitledInEnglish
• Moliere's The Miser (L'Avare) #Comedy #SurtitledInEnglish
• The Marriage of Figaro or the Crazy Day #Theatre #SurtitledInEnglish
• The Picture of Dorian Gray #Theatre #SurtitledInEnglish
• The Fox and the Earth #Mime #NoDialogue #FamilyShow
• Scapin the Schemer #Comedy #SurtitledInEnglish

See all shows playing at Ranelagh here!

Fast facts
Capacity: 300
Handicap Accessible: Yes, please contact us to ensure proper seating in accessible areas
Air conditioning: No
Heating: Yes

theatre le ranelagh salle de spectacle theatre in paris

theatre le ranelagh exterieur facade theatre in paris

FAQ

How do I get to Théâtre Le Ranelagh in the 16th arrondissement of Paris?

The Théâtre Le Ranelagh is accessible by:
Metro: Line 6 (Passy station), line 9 (La Muette station)
RER: Line C (Boulainvilliers station or Maison de la Radio Avenue du Président Kennedy)
Address: 5 rue des Vignes, 75016 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 Théâtre Le Ranelagh?

We recommend that you arrive 15 minutes before the beginning of Diary of a Madman, and present your voucher at the front desk. Théâtre Le Ranelagh’s English-speaking staff members will guide you to your seats.
In the event of a delay, spectators will be allowed entrance to the theatre but seating in the purchased category is not guaranteed.

How long does the show, The Story of a Madman, last?

The theatre piece Diary of a Madman at Théâtre Le Ranelagh lasts approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes, with no intermission.

It says that Diary of a Madman is recommended for children ages 11 and older. What does that mean?

The show is open to all, but the Théâtre Le Ranelagh recommends the show to spectators aged 11 and above so it may be appreciated to its fullest.

It says that The Story of a Madman is in French with no surtitles. Is it still accessible to English speakers?

The theatre piece, Diary of a Madman is more suited to a French-speaking audience because it is performed exclusively in French. If you feel like you have a sufficient level of French to follow along—discover French theatre through this powerful piece!

Can I choose my seat when booking?

When purchasing tickets for Diary of a Madman, 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.

Is there a dress code at Théâtre Le Ranelagh?

There is no specific dress code at Théâtre Le Ranelagh, but proper attire is appreciated. Many Parisians will arrive directly from work, dressed in business casual or chic attire.