Jean Vilar
Encyclopedia
Jean Vilar was a French man of the theatre, who created in 1947 the Avignon theatre festival
.
After he gave up his literature studies, in 1932 he followed in Paris
a course of philosophy of Alain
and the theatre courses of Charles Dullin
. He was the co-chief of the ambulant theatre of La Roulotte and then of his own theatrical troupe, la Compagnie des Sept, starting 1943. This was created in the year in which he had his first play, La Danse de mort of Strindberg.
He impressed the public as a good actor and scenographer in 1945, thanks to the play Meurtre dans la cathédrale ("Murder in the Cathedral
") by T.S. Eliot, created at the Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier
. Two years later he created the Festival of Avignon
.
He was named the head of the Théâtre National Populaire
in 1951. He tried to make it more popular by lowering the prices of the tickets and through the concision of the scenes. This quest continued with a politicization starting 1961: many plays discussed things like Fascism in the middle of the Algerian war. His mandate ended in 1963 and afterwards, he was involved in the festivals he created.
He was vilified during May 1968 in France for unclear reasons.
Festival d'Avignon
The Festival d'Avignon, or Avignon Festival, is an annual arts festival held in the French city of Avignon. Founded in 1947 by Jean Vilar, it is the oldest extant festival in France and one of the world's greatest...
.
After he gave up his literature studies, in 1932 he followed in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
a course of philosophy of Alain
Émile Chartier
Émile-Auguste Chartier, commonly known as Alain was a French philosopher, journalist, and pacifist.Alain entered lycée d'Alençon in 1881 and studied there for five years...
and the theatre courses of Charles Dullin
Charles Dullin
Charles Dullin was a French actor, theater manager and director.-Life:Dullin was a student of Jacques Copeau...
. He was the co-chief of the ambulant theatre of La Roulotte and then of his own theatrical troupe, la Compagnie des Sept, starting 1943. This was created in the year in which he had his first play, La Danse de mort of Strindberg.
He impressed the public as a good actor and scenographer in 1945, thanks to the play Meurtre dans la cathédrale ("Murder in the Cathedral
Murder in the Cathedral
Murder in the Cathedral is a verse drama by T. S. Eliot that portrays the assassination of Archbishop Thomas Becket in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170, first performed in 1935...
") by T.S. Eliot, created at the Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier
Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier
The Théâtre du Vieux-Colombier is a theatre located at 21, rue du Vieux-Colombier, in the 6th arrondissement in Paris. It was founded in 1913 by the theatre producer and playwright Jacques Copeau...
. Two years later he created the Festival of Avignon
Avignon
Avignon is a French commune in southeastern France in the départment of the Vaucluse bordered by the left bank of the Rhône river. Of the 94,787 inhabitants of the city on 1 January 2010, 12 000 live in the ancient town centre surrounded by its medieval ramparts.Often referred to as the...
.
He was named the head of the Théâtre National Populaire
Théâtre National Populaire
The Théâtre National Populaire is a theatre now at Villeurbanne, France. It was founded in 1920 by Firmin Gémier in Paris. The theater's policy is to deliver quality entertainment accessible to the general public....
in 1951. He tried to make it more popular by lowering the prices of the tickets and through the concision of the scenes. This quest continued with a politicization starting 1961: many plays discussed things like Fascism in the middle of the Algerian war. His mandate ended in 1963 and afterwards, he was involved in the festivals he created.
He was vilified during May 1968 in France for unclear reasons.