THÉÂTRE MUNICIPAL
Description
This ancient temple-like building houses a magnificent Italian-style theatre.
Open Tuesday to Saturday, 1pm to 7pm. Outside these hours, information can be obtained from the Cultural Affairs Department on 02 51 47 48 91. Tickets are also available online at billetterie.larochesuryon.fr
The Théâtre à l'italienne continues to be a venue for live performances, used by the town's cultural programme, the Grand R national stage and local associations.
In January 1805, the plan approved by the Emperor provided for a "comedy theatre" in the centre of the town... but at the expense of the municipality. Due to a lack of funds, the Italian-style theatre was not inaugurated until 1845, on the site of barracks dating from the First Empire. It replaced a temporary theatre that had been housed in the Halles since 1811. Like other neoclassical buildings in Yonn, the theatre's façade features a peristyle with columns and pilasters supporting an entablature and a triangular pediment. Inside, the Italian-style wooden auditorium is richly decorated. In 1888, the balconies were decorated with comedy masks, garlands of flowers and musical instruments. The coffered ceiling alternates between representations of the Muses and bouquets of flowers.
