3-021-631 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The new theatre of the Vaudeville, Paris, 1869. 'The new Vaudeville Theatre, at the comer of the Rue de la Chaussée d'Antin, and at the junction of the Boulevard des Italiens with the Boulevard des Capucines, is a showy and handsome building. The architect, M. Magne, had a small space to work in; but he has made an undoubted success. The facade is in the form of a rotunda between two tall houses, and is surmounted by a cupola, the decorative sculpture giving it a fine effect. On the sloping front is raised a figure of Apollo...The pilasters which separate the facade from the bases are surmounted by groups of children symbolising Comedy and Drama; and below the front the sculptor has carved in the stone four female figures forming caryatides representing Music, Satire, Comedy, and Folly...On the lower level a large bay opens below a balcony; and three busts of dramatists complete the decorations of this stage. The details of ornamentation are very rich and complete, and the entire building is characterised by the admirable taste which led the architect to remember that he had only small scope for display, and that the building was a theatre devoted to light representations'. From "Illustrated London News", 1869.