Montrouge (actor)
Encyclopedia
Montrouge died 1903, was a comic actor in French musical theatre in the second half of the nineteenth century, as well as a theatre manager in Paris.
in Paris but then became involved in amateur theatre work.
Montrouge’s career began in earnest in 1855 at the Théâtre Batignolles, where he also acted as manager. In addition he variously managed the Théâtre Folies-Marigny from 1864-69 (where he met his wife, and on leaving received a benefit of 500,000 francs), the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens, the Théâtre du Châtelet
and the Théâtre de l’Athenée-Comique.
He performed together with his wife in Cairo from 1873–75. At the Théâtre des Délassements-Comiques he developed the role of compère for stage revues, for which he became famous. After touring in Italy, Montrouge worked successively at the Théâtre des Folies-Dramatiques
, the Théâtre des Variétés
, the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin
and in Brussels.
In operetta his creations included:
In 1885 he took the part of Godet in the premiere run of Naufrage de M Godet and compered the revue Les Potins de Paris at the Théâtre des Variétés; in 1886 he was Commissaire Trousselet in Fiacre 117 and in 1887 Doyenné in Coup de foudre.
Montrouge sang in several revivals at the Bouffes Parisiens, including the Baron in Le droit du seigneur, Laurent XVII in La mascotte
, and Alfred Pharaon in Joséphine vendue par ses sœurs in 1889.
His wife was the actress and operetta singer Marguerite Macé-Montrouge
whom he met while working at the Folies-Marigny.
Life and career
He studied architecture at the École des Beaux-ArtsÉcole des Beaux-Arts
École des Beaux-Arts refers to a number of influential art schools in France. The most famous is the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts, now located on the left bank in Paris, across the Seine from the Louvre, in the 6th arrondissement. The school has a history spanning more than 350 years,...
in Paris but then became involved in amateur theatre work.
Montrouge’s career began in earnest in 1855 at the Théâtre Batignolles, where he also acted as manager. In addition he variously managed the Théâtre Folies-Marigny from 1864-69 (where he met his wife, and on leaving received a benefit of 500,000 francs), the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens, the Théâtre du Châtelet
Théâtre du Châtelet
The Théâtre du Châtelet is a theatre and opera house, located in the place du Châtelet in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, France.One of two theatres built on the site of a châtelet, a small castle or fortress, it was designed by Gabriel Davioud at the request of Baron Haussmann between 1860 and...
and the Théâtre de l’Athenée-Comique.
He performed together with his wife in Cairo from 1873–75. At the Théâtre des Délassements-Comiques he developed the role of compère for stage revues, for which he became famous. After touring in Italy, Montrouge worked successively at the Théâtre des Folies-Dramatiques
Théâtre des Folies-Dramatiques
The Théâtre des Folies-Dramatiques was a theatre in Paris in the 19th and 20th centuries. Opened first in 1832 in the site of the old Théâtre de l'Ambigu-Comique on the Boulevard du Temple, under Frédérick Lemaître it became a noted venue for the genre of mélodrame.In 1862, the theatre moved to the...
, the Théâtre des Variétés
Théâtre des Variétés
The Théâtre des Variétés is a theatre and "salle de spectacles" at 7, boulevard Montmartre, 2nd arrondissement, in Paris. It was declared a monument historique in 1975.-History:...
, the Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin
Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin
The Théâtre de la Porte Saint-Martin is a venerable theatre and opera house at 18, Boulevard Saint-Martin in the 10e arrondissement of Paris.- History :...
and in Brussels.
In operetta his creations included:
- Capoulade in Le testament de M Crac (1871)
- Baron in Le droit du seigneur (1878)
- Pontcornet in François les bas-bleusFrançois les bas-bleusFrançois les bas-bleus is an opéra comique in three acts of 1883, with a French libretto by Ernest Dubreuil, Eugène Humbert, Paul Burani, and music by Firmin Bernicat, completed by André Messager.-Background:...
(1883) - Patouillard in Le mari de la reineLe mari de la reineLe mari de la reine is an opérette in three acts of 1889, with music by André Messager and a French libretto by E Grenet-Dancourt and Octave Pradels....
(1889) - Smithson in Miss Heylett (1894)
In 1885 he took the part of Godet in the premiere run of Naufrage de M Godet and compered the revue Les Potins de Paris at the Théâtre des Variétés; in 1886 he was Commissaire Trousselet in Fiacre 117 and in 1887 Doyenné in Coup de foudre.
Montrouge sang in several revivals at the Bouffes Parisiens, including the Baron in Le droit du seigneur, Laurent XVII in La mascotte
La mascotte
La mascotte is an opéra comique by Edmond Audran. The French libretto was by Alfred Duru and Henri Charles Chivot. The story concerns a farm girl who is believed to bring good luck to whoever possesses her, so long as she remains a virgin...
, and Alfred Pharaon in Joséphine vendue par ses sœurs in 1889.
His wife was the actress and operetta singer Marguerite Macé-Montrouge
Marguerite Macé-Montrouge
Marguerite Macé-Montrouge, born Victoire Macé on 24 March 1836, died Paris 26 November 1898, became a professional actress at the age of 14, and was an early member of Offenbach's troupe, before enjoying a long stage career in Paris and elsewhere....
whom he met while working at the Folies-Marigny.