Origin

In the second half of the 18th century, both popular and middle-class theatre were located on the boulevard du Temple. This area was called the "boulevard du Crime" because many plays about dramatic events and murders were performed there. Visitors could enjoy fireworks, pantomime, acrobatics, and other performances. Over time, a unique type of plays, known as the "boulevard" repertoire, developed separately from theatre meant for upper-class audiences. Later, during the Second French Empire, new styles of theatre such as vaudeville and comédie d'intrigue became popular in the area.

Style

Boulevard theatre has many comedies and some dramas. The characters are not very complex and are easy to understand. The plays often stay away from sensitive topics like politics and religion. The style is meant to be friendly and not cause disagreement. Examples include comedies about relationships, such as La Cage aux Folles and Boeing Boeing.

Feydeau

Georges Feydeau was a playwright who was most active between 1890 and 1920. His plays were sometimes performed even into the 21st century. He wrote plays for boulevard theaters, which often used humor to criticize people who cheated on their partners and those who lived without strict rules. These themes were not commonly found in British theater during the same time period.