Illustre Théâtre

French theater company

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July 16, 2026

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The Illustre-Théâtre was a French theater company founded by Molière. After touring France for 13 years, Molière and his company were accepted at the court of Louis XIV in 1658. They began to elevate farce to sophisticated social comedy, placing it on par with tragedy. Molière was influenced by the commedia dell'arte actors with whom he shared a theatre. In 1680, after Molière's death, the Illustre-Théâtre was merged with two other companies to form the Comédie-Française, Europe's first national theatre.1

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Geneviève Béjart
…and early member of Molière’s Illustre Théâtre company. Geneviève played as Mlle Hervé, adopting her mother’s name. She acted with the Béjart family company managed by her sister Madeleine before they joined forces with Molière. She attained note as a tragedienne.
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…and early member of Molière’s Illustre Théâtre company. Geneviève played as Mlle Hervé, adopting her mother’s name. She acted with the Béjart family company managed by her sister Madeleine before they joined forces with Molière. She attained note as a tragedienne.
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Joseph Béjart
…joined Molière’s first company, the Illustre-Théâtre. Accompanying Molière in his theatrical wanderings, Béjart created the parts of Lélie and Éraste in the playwright’s L’Étourdi (1653; The Blunderer) and Dépit amoureux (1654; The Amorous Quarrel), respectively.
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…joined Molière’s first company, the Illustre-Théâtre. Accompanying Molière in his theatrical wanderings, Béjart created the parts of Lélie and Éraste in the playwright’s L’Étourdi (1653; The Blunderer) and Dépit amoureux (1654; The Amorous Quarrel), respectively.
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Louis Béjart
…an original member of Molière’s Illustre Théâtre company. Louis created many parts in Molière’s plays, including Valère in Dépit amoureux, Dubois in Le Misanthrope (1666), Alcantor in Le Mariage forcé (1664; The Forced Marriage), and Don Luis in Don Juan, ou le festin de pierre (1665; Don John; or, The…
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…an original member of Molière’s Illustre Théâtre company. Louis created many parts in Molière’s plays, including Valère in Dépit amoureux, Dubois in Le Misanthrope (1666), Alcantor in Le Mariage forcé (1664; The Forced Marriage), and Don Luis in Don Juan, ou le festin de pierre (1665; Don John; or, The…
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