ABSTRACT
This chapter connects the underlying philosophy and work ethic of the Théâtre du Soleil to the popular theatre movement in France, notably to the projects of Jean Vilar, and to the earlier theoretical musings of Jacques Copeau and Louis Jouvet. Copeau’s notion of physical theatre and of actors formed outside of the Parisian text-centric world are emphasized. An historical overview of the evolution of what became the permanent home of the company (a former munitions factory in the Vincennes woods known as the Cartoucherie), this chapter also details the constant transformations of the playing space. Here, we see (with the help of many illustrations and photos) the crucial roles of designers Roberto Moscoso and Guy-Claude François. From 1970, when the Soleil took over the dilapidated Cartoucherie hangar (one of five now fully occupied by other arts companies) to the present, all company members, now from some 35 countries, have worked to reconstruct the space, making it convivial for audience and actors, a place of debate about current political issues, and a “sacred” environment for testing how art can create community and question the way History is told.
