Bataclan Theater
The Bataclan (French pronunciation: [bataklɑ̃]) is a theatre located at 50 Boulevard Voltaire in the 11th arrondissement of Paris, France. Designed in 1864 by the architect Charles Duval, its name refers to Ba-ta-clan, an operetta by Jacques Offenbach.
History
The Bataclan originated as a large café-concert in the Chinoiserie style, with the café and theatre on the ground floor and a large dance hall at first-floor level. Its original name was Grand Café Chinois.
The French name "Bataclan" refers to the Offenbach operetta, but it is also a pun on the expression tout le bataclan (the "kit and caboodle", or "all that jazz", or "the whole nine yards"),[2] the oldest written use of which predates Offenbach by almost a century, in a journal entry of 11 November 1761 by Charles Simon Favart.
Concerts were held there but it was best known for putting on the vaudevilles of Eugène Scribe, Jean-François Bayard, Mélesville, and Théophile Marion Dumersan.
The establishment, designed in 1864 by the architect Charles Duval, opened under the management of André Martin Paris on 3 February 1865 and was later bought by the singer Paulus in 1892. Also in 1892, Buffalo Bill Cody performed there. Over the next several years the building experienced both good and bad luck, and many changes in ownership. New fashions after 1910 led to a restoration of the auditorium and a programme dedicated solely to revues, especially those put on by José de Bérys. Maurice Chevalier had his first theatrical success there, and Édith Piaf also performed there. Inspired by their new successes, the Bataclan troupe took big shows on a South American tour that proved financially disastrous.
Kindred Influence
Versancia keeps a room here, with a secret tunnel that leads away from it into the catacombs. She has a running deal with Lord Domino who has control over the ownership of the building. The Ventrue have tried to buy the theater and force the Son of Cacophony out, but have as yet failed to make it happen. Fridays and Saturdays after midnight there are Soirees here.
The Area Around the Theater
There is are a few shops that have become tailored to the business of the theater. There are clothing stores, tobacconists, snuff sellers.
The back of the theater is a wide alley, with room for delivering food, drink, and construction materials. There is a loading dock, with a pair of large doors leading to a construction area. The back alley connects to Le Jupon En Soie (The Silk Petticoat) belonging to Verdan La Bloom.