Background
André Antoine was born on January 31, 1858 in Limoges, France.
Actor critic director manager author
André Antoine was born on January 31, 1858 in Limoges, France.
André Antoine acquired only a haphazard education, frequenting libraries and museums and attending Taine's lectures on the history of art.
Antoine was working as a clerk for the Paris Gas Company and acting part-time when in 1887 he founded the Théâtre-Libre as a showcase for the work of contemporary naturalistic playwrights. Despite an initially unenthusiastic reception he soon won wide acceptance and began financing his productions through private subscription.
In its heyday (1887–93), the Théâtre-Libre introduced to French audiences the work of Brieux, Ibsen, Hauptmann, Strindberg, and others. It greatly influenced the modern French theatre and spawned a host of imitators around the world, among them the Freie Bühne in Berlin and the Independent Theatre in London. In 1896 financial losses forced him to close the theatre, but a year later, after serving briefly as co-director of the Théâtre de l’Odéon, he founded the Théâtre-Antoine, offering productions similar to those of his original company. In 1906 he was appointed sole director of the Odéon; he resigned after eight years to become a drama critic and an extremely innovative film director (1914–24). He directed such films as Les Frères corses (1915), Mademoiselle de la Seiglière (1920), and L’Arlésienne (1921).
Antoine believed that our environment determines our character and he would often start rehearsals by creating the set, settings or environment which would then allow his actors to explore their characters and their behaviors with greater authenticity.
André Antoine was an enthusiastic amateur actor.
André Antoine was married to Pauline Verdavoine.