Anonymous 1879 Satirical Pamphlet Attacking the Odéon Theatre

Anonymous, La Question de l'Odeon: Lettre à son editeur. (The Question of the Odeon [Theatre]: Letter to his/her Editor). 1879. Paul Ollendorff: Paris. Saddle-stitched softcover 16-mo, 35 pp. Inscribed by Editor: "hommage Sympathique de l'éditeur / à Mademoiselle Jullien / Paul Ollendorf."

Paul Ollendorf makes sense as the intended publisher of this pamphlet; his press and bookshop was a centre of Bohemian subculture and, due to his authors' many connections with cabaret, comedy, and variety show scenes, represented a community deeply involved with theatre yet alienated from its most entrenched, legitimized forms. His connection with underground cartooning, satire, and visual art scenes results in the striking bit of visual poetry avant-la-lettre that adorns its cover. The anonymous author explains due to their close connection with theatrical affairs, they are both highly familiar with the matters they discuss yet cannot let their identity be known due to the sensitivity of their suggestions; Ollendorf can protect their identity while confirming that they know what they're talking about.

The pamphlet takes a jocular one but its complaint is real, charging that the Odéon (considered the "Second Theatre" of France after the Comédie Française) has lost its sense of identity and purpose, which ought to be the support of young playwrights with fresh ideas untenable at the more conservative and prestigious theatre. The author asserts that it should the theatre should embrace its location in the Latin Quarter and proximity to the "eccentric" Bohemian cabaret culture Ollendorf served, declaring that "the second theatre of France should also be its popular theatre." Gradually rising prices should be reduced to allow for the greatest audience of all classes. Constant revivals of old plays should be replaced by daring works by unproduced writers; thus the odéon would coordinsate with the Comédie Franaise, which would thus identify successful young playwrights as their future "safe bets". They suggest re-designing the administration of the state theatre system, under the stewardship of an experienced theatrical artist rather than bureaucrat, who would also serve as mentor for young writers, actors, and directors.

This copy was a gift by Ollendorf to the actress Madamoiselle Jullien, in"sympathetic hommage from the editor". Mademoiselle Jullien had made her stage debut only a couple years earlier as the surprise winner of an open competition at the late age of 29, where was described as very petite, intelligent, lively, and clearly in love with her art; the award was a place in cast of the prestigious Comédie française (the second place winner went to the Odéon). Ollendorf's reference to himself as "the editor" seems a nod to the pamphlet's framing as a "letter to his/her editor" (the gender of the subject is unclear in the French), opening the possibility that Jullien was directly or indirectly involved in the pamphlet's appearance or aware of its true author; very little evidence regarding her has turned up.

Sources: Arnold Mortier,  Les Soirés pariiennes de 1881 (Dentu, 1882) (Note: this article seems to give a misleadingly late date for her ebut.)

L.H.H., "A Day at the Paris Conservatoire", in Lippincott's Monthly Magazine, Vol. XX, No. 26, Oct. 1877