ABSTRACT
Peter Brook’s internationally renowned theatre, the Bouffes du Nord, demonstrates how the retention of an original interior, rich in theatrical history, can create an atmosphere rarely found in new buildings or conventional renovations. It is a theatre, tailored by practitioners rather than by architects, designed to respond to Peter Brook’s personal dramatic vision (as set out in his book The Empty Space). It captures the essence of ‘found space’ and has served as an inspiration for several generations of theatre directors and designers. Located behind the Gare du Nord in Paris, the theatre building dates from 1876. For the next hundred-odd years, it had what has been described as an ‘interesting’ history with a succession of artistic directors trying and almost invariably proving unable to make enough money to keep it open. Its use became increasingly episodic until it was shut down completely in 1952 for failing to meet safety standards. Peter Brook discovered Bouffes du Nord in a state of terminal decline in 1974 and recognising theatrical value in its decay, literally stopped the rot at that specific point.
