Théâtres de la nature: sites, outdoor theatrical and public forms in France and abroad– Paris (France)
In Europe, outdoor theatres developed markedly as of the 17th century. Historic sites, parks, gardens or country locations hosted these open-air stages which met with considerable success, thanks to the development of rail travel and tourism. Organised in the summer, on fine days and during theatre closures, performances were also associated with a festive, sometimes political dimension, since their outdoor venues permitted mass representations. The recent pandemic and crucial ecological challenges have revived an interest in these sites, continuously maintained to the present day. Several artists are rekindling the vogue of creation in a natural environment, which is often an integral part of their very scenography or scriptwriting. The aim is therefore to study the repertoires, sites, staging, audiences, architectures, cartography and temporality of open-air theatres, from their advent to the present day.