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:
The Dominique Case by Françoise Dolto at Théâtre du Chariot
Le Cas Dominique, adapted and directed by Nathalie Boutefeu from Françoise Dolto, is on at Théâtre du Chariot in Paris from September 3 to 20, 2026, starring Lucas Bottini and Bernadette Le Saché. [Read more]
Napoleon at Poche-Montparnasse: Maxime d’Aboville recounts the Emperor
Maxime d’Aboville presents Napoleon at the Théâtre de Poche-Montparnasse from August 31, 2026 to January 4, 2027. This historical solo show, performed on Mondays at 7 p.m., draws on the writings of Hugo, Chateaubriand, Tolstoy, and Jean d’Ormesson. [Read more]
The Dead Poets Society returns to Théâtre Libre
Dead Poets Society, a stage adaptation of the cult film directed by Olivier Solivérès, returns to Théâtre Libre in Paris from September 11, 2026 to January 10, 2027. [Read more]
La Promesse de l'Aube, the adaptation of Romain Gary's novel at Théâtre de la Contrescarpe
The adaptation of Romain Gary's La Promesse de l’Aube by Tigran Mekhitarian is returning to Théâtre Le Contrescarpe from 8 August 2026. [Read more]
Alexis Michalik's Edmond returns to the Théâtre du Palais Royal: our review
Edmond, Alexis Michalik’s third play, which premiered at the Théâtre du Palais-Royal in 2016, is still on at the Théâtre du Ier arrondissement. After earning more than five Molières, the show returns on 2 October 2026. [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]
Article 353 of the Penal Code at the Petit Saint-Martin
Adapted from Tanguy Viel's novel, Article 353 of the Penal Code is on stage at Théâtre du Rond-Point from
Oliver Twist, Dickens in a musical at Le Lucernaire
Oliver Twist returns to the Lucernaire in Paris from September 9, 2026. This family-friendly musical based on Charles Dickens is directed by Ned Grujic. [Read more]
La Joie, Olivier Ruidavet's one-man show at the Théâtre de Paris
La Joie, a one-man show adapted from Charles Pépin’s novel by Olivier Ruidavet, arrives at Théâtre de Paris – Salle Réjane from October 1 to November 21, 2026. [Read more]
All the Blue of the Sky, Mélissa Da Costa's novel at Théâtre La Pépinière in Paris
Tout le bleu du ciel, adaptation of Mélissa Da Costa's novel directed by Mikaël Chirinian, arrives at Théâtre La Pépinière in Paris from September 3 to December 5, 2026. [Read more]
The Land of Men, Saint-Exupéry adapted for Contrescarpe
Terre des hommes, adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s tale by Pierre Devaux, returns to Théâtre Le Contrescarpe in Paris from August 28, 2026. [Read more]
La Tresse, Laetitia Colombani's novel on stage
La Tresse, an adaptation of Laetitia Colombani’s novel brought to the stage by director Johanna Boyé, is heading to the Théâtre de la Renaissance in Paris from 25 September 2026 to 10 January 2027. [Read more]
Tribulations of a Local Muslim: Ismaël Saidi at the Théâtre des Mathurins
Tribulations of a Local Muslim, Ismaël Saidi's autobiographical solo performance, arrives at the Théâtre des Mathurins in Paris from September 19 to December 26, 2026. [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
