Location: Béthune, France.

Architect: Manuelle Gautrand Architecture.

La Comédie De Bethune is a theater located in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais area of France. It was initially named the National Drama Center of the Nord Pas de Calais and has undergone several name changes over the years. The theater is located in an area that has been affected by economic crisis, and it reflects the region’s commitment to culture and the arts. The building has contributed significantly to the area’s attractiveness and is the most emblematic cultural equipment of the city. The theater was initially installed in a marquee with 300 seats in 1992 and moved to an old powder magazine in 1993. The building was refurbished into a “Studio Theater,” which is still in use today. In 1994, the agency MANUELLE GAUTRAND ARCHITECTURE won the competition for the construction of the theater. The project anticipated an extension, which was realized in 2009 after the demolition of a house. The extension included a rehearsal room and put in new safety regulations. The renovation of the theater included the administration and the hall. The project aimed to improve and complete the global functioning of the theater and allow the presence of artists on the site.

Photo credit: Luc Boegly.