The Theatre in France: 1500-1700
Much of early French drama had little impact on the world of theatre. Dramatists too often catered to the aristocracy and never produce any plays of lasting interest. Conditions did change around 1597, however, when more skilled companies and playwrights began to appear in Paris. France's first professional dramatist was Alexandre Hardy who appeared around 1597. He wrote a large number of plays, 34 of which have survived. He used the five-act form, poetic dialogue, as well as the chorus from early Greek and Roman times. While Hardy's contributions were important to the French theatre, he never achieved lasting greatness. [more]
