Closed to the public for works since 2016, the theater located in the 4th arrondissement of Paris must reopen its doors next September. The Council of Paris declared that it would henceforth be called Théâtre Sarah Bernardt. The famous actress ran the theater for 24 years until her death in 1923. In 1949, it was named Théâtre Sarah Bernardt, before changing its name to Théâtre des Nations.
A decision that delights the group Paris en commun, which was fighting for “the return of the name of Sarah Bernardt to the front of the Théâtre de la Ville. But today, we are going further since it is the theater itself that will bear the name of Sarah Bernardt, ”added the group of elected officials on Twitter.
For Carine Rolland, the assistant to the culture of the town hall of Paris, “this is great news for the visibility of women and this immense artist.” Beyond her artistic talent, Sarah Bernardt “was also a committed woman, especially during the Dreyfus affair with Émile Zola”, recalls the Paris group in common.
An exhibition bringing together more than 400 works – jewelry, letters, costumes or even paintings belonging to or representing the actress – is to be found at the Petit Palais until August 27, 2023.