The story of Palais des Glaces
From "Bijou" to "Palais des Glaces"
1876 A report mentions the construction of a new song venue in this part of the faubourg, inaugurated under the name "Boléro Star". The authors' society register indicates, on October 30, 1877, the creation of a small dramatic work "La peau de singe" by C. Max, F. Steven, and G. Chaucin. The same register notes another creation on February 1, 1882: "A qui le tour?". At this time, the venue is already called "Bijou Concert".
1891 to 1894 Albert Schrmeck, a specialist in caf-conc, manages the venue before founding the "Folies Saint Antoine" in the 10th arrondissement. The "Bijou" is then directed by Paul Ruez, a future music hall magnate.
August 1895 Paul Ruez, destined for greater things ("Parisiana", "Folies Bergères", "Olympia", "Moulin Rouge", and "Printania" which he created), hands over to Georges Wacquez who, during the two years of his first term, produces eighteen plays, in addition to the traditional concert part. Several directors follow afterwards.
November 29, 1902 Paul Dosogne is the first to come up with the idea of changing the genre of the venue. In 1903, he inaugurates the "Bijou Théâtre" which will present only dramatic works for just over a season, without ever truly attracting a consistent audience for this new format.
November 14, 1903 The "Bijou", a music hall, reopens its doors under the management of E. Keppens, and it is a success again: the hall is always full. Yet, Keppens withdraws the following year.
September 1904 A former actress from the "Gymnase", Lucienne Wekins, undertakes significant restoration work and reopens under the name "Bijou Théâtre". The program consists of revivals of old boulevard hits (including the famous "Maître de Forges" by Georges Ohnet). The public does not follow, and Madame Wekins, discouraged, gives up.
February 1905 Albert Schrameck takes over and returns to concerts. The "Bijou" regains some of its former glory for a short period. In October of the same year, the artist Georges Cellier reopens it. He lasts eighteen months. Then begins a hectic period with nearly ten different directors in five years!
1912 With the advent of cinema, venues must adapt to the public's taste. After six months of closure, the "Bijou" cinema concert opens its doors. Concert performances share the bill with silent films.
1924 The theater and its "fin de siècle" architecture are destroyed, and the Grand Cinema of the Palais des Glaces is built. Its facade, covered with mirrors, earns it its new name.
1953 No more mirrors on the facade. Screening of "The Quiet Man" by John Ford, starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.
1970 The venue is transformed into a music hall and concert hall. Major names perform there, including Nina Simone, Marcel Dadi, Touré Kunda, and The Clash...
1977 "Punk Night" with the first concert of The Police in Paris, featuring Sting, Henry Padovani (guitar), and Stewart Copeland (drums).
Excerpt from "Our Punk Years 1972-78" by Christian Eudeline (Denoël) "This was the moment the explosion happened: 77 was truly the punk year with, for example, the Palais des Glaces festival where we could see The Clash, The Damned, Jam, Generation X, and for which Yves Adrien emerged from his long exile in Verneuil where he only listened to Sinatra."
1980 The Palais des Glaces is leased to Mr. Réville and becomes a theater again. Notable among its programs are "Scenes from a Marriage in Lower Bavaria" by Martin Speer (1980), "The Condemned Man" by Jean Genet (April 1986), and "Le Grand Meaulnes" based on Alain-Fournier (September 1986).
1988 The theater is bought by Jimmy Lévy, who transforms it into a true temple of the "One Man Show" and comedy performances. Many comedians have graced the stage of the Palais des Glaces.
La Madeleine Proust is the first show produced in January 1988. In September 1988, the facade is decorated for a show titled "L'éléphant est tombé", with the elephant drawing created by painter and illustrator Benoît Déchelle.
Then we note: Jango Edwards (1988), Les Vamps (1989, 1991, and 1995), Pierre Palmade (1990), Jean-Marie Bigard (1992), Chevallier and Laspalles (1992), Patrick Timsit (1993), Marc Jolivet (1994), Elie and Dieudonné (1996), Gad Elmaleh (1996), Eric and Ramzy (1998), Patrick Bosso (2000), Virginie Lemoine (2001), Didier Bénureau (2002).
April 2, 2002, Jean-Pierre Bigard signs a purchase agreement for the theater. Since July 1, 2002, he has continued the tradition by programming comedy and entertainment shows. He creates several seating configurations in the large hall, with capacities of 270, 400, and 500 seats.
July 4, 2022, the Palais des Glaces is taken over by Mickael Chétrit and David Boukhobza. Significant renovation work is undertaken, along with a change in logo and graphic charter.
