Adapting a literary work for the stage requires us to rethink the work and recontextualize it within new spatio-temporal constraints. This creates a link between the writing of the past and that of today, sometimes between different languages and cultures. In and around Paris, many theaters offer new theatrical creations inspired by texts, novels, poetry and more...
What to see this week in Paris? Plays and shows not to be missed
Plays and shows to see this week in Paris: comedies, dance, humor, magic, cabaret... Our selection of must-see events. [Read more]
What a joy it is to see a book we've loved brought to life on stage! Every season , theaters in Paris and the Île-de-France region focus on adapting literary works. The richness of French literature opens up many possibilities for adaptation, and adaptors, directors and translators all seize the opportunity.
Seeing your favorite book come to life is an opportunity to re-discover it and perhaps understand the story differently. Theater offers a live experience, fundamentally different from reading a book, by seeing actors embody characters in flesh and blood, in real time. An emotional connection and immediacy is created with the audience. Each theatrical adaptation of a novel is a unique interpretation of the literary work, and plays with the senses through surprising scenographic and musical creations . Paris and the Île-de-France region offer a wide variety of plays, from classic to modern, so take advantage!
Numerous classical plays are presented in Parisian and Île-de-France theaters. An essential theatrical genre for lovers of culture and history! [Read more]
Numerous contemporary plays are presented at theaters in Paris and the Île-de-France region. Contemporary theater encompasses works created from the mid-20th century to the present day. An opportunity to discover modern creations, in tune with our times! [Read more]
You can find out more about not-to-be-missed literary adaptations for the stage here:
Alexis Michalik's Edmond returns to the Théâtre du Palais Royal: our review
Edmond, Alexis Michalik's third play, premiered at the Théâtre du Palais Royal in 2016, is still running at the Théâtre du Ier Arrondissement. After more than 5 Molières awards, the play returns on August 21, 2025. [Read more]
The next time you bite the dust, with Vassili Schneider, returns to Paris in December 2026.
Portée par son succès public, "La prochaine fois tu mordras la poussière" prolonge son aventure sur scène avec un retour très attendu à Paris. Adaptée du roman de Panayotis Pascot par Paul Pascot, la pièce sera présentée au Trianon du 19 December 2026 to 2 January 2027, with Vassili Schneider, crowned at the Molières 2025. [Read more]
Molière’s Tartuffe or the Hypocrite performed in its original version at La Grande Halle de la Villette
Tartuffe or The Hypocrite by Molière, directed by Ivo Van Hove, will be staged at La Grande Halle de la Villette from May 21 to July 11, 2026. [Read more]
Dernier coup de ciseaux: interactive detective comedy at the Théâtre des Mathurins
Discover "Dernier coup de ciseaux," an interactive detective comedy by Sébastien Azzopardi and Sacha Danino, at the Théâtre des Mathurins until June 30, 2026. [Read more]
Sherlock Holmes and The Hound of the Baskervilles at the Grand Point Virgule
Sherlock Holmes, The Hound of the Baskervilles, is on at the Grand Point Virgule through June 28, 2026, an investigation that blends the supernatural with rigorous deductive reasoning. [Read more]
La Promesse de l'Aube, the adaptation of Romain Gary's novel at Théâtre de la Contrescarpe
Tigran Mekhitarian's adaptation of Romain Gary's La Promesse de l'Aube opens on October 2, 2025 at Théâtre Le Contrescarpe. [Read more]
What to see this week in Paris? Plays and shows not to be missed
Classical plays to see now in Paris and the Ile-de-France region
Contemporary plays to see in Paris and the Ile-de-France region
