Aleph

Théâtre Aleph is a small but remarkable theatre in Ivry-sur-Seine, just south of Paris, founded by the Chilean director and playwright Oscar Castro Ramírez. Its story begins in 1968 in Santiago, but its defining chapter was written far from any stage — inside Chile's political prison camps.

Where does the theatre's history come from?

Castro founded Aleph as a student theatre group in Santiago de Chile before Pinochet's 1973 coup. Arrested afterward, he was held in concentration camps between 1974 and 1976. There, in barracks and camp dining halls, he wrote and staged a new piece of theatre every Friday evening for his fellow prisoners — a practice that, according to survivors, helped preserve sanity and dignity under terror. After his release, Castro went into exile in France, where an invitation from Ariane Mnouchkine opened the doors of the Cartoucherie de Vincennes: in 1980, the Théâtre du Soleil hosted his first French production, "L'Exilé Mateluna."

How did the theatre end up in Ivry-sur-Seine?

For over a decade, the Aleph company worked without a permanent home, relying on the hospitality of other Paris venues. In 1995, it finally settled into its own space: a former cardboard factory at 30 rue Christophe Colomb in Ivry-sur-Seine, just south of the capital. The industrial building was converted into a stage and workshop space while keeping its raw, factory-floor character.

What can you see at Théâtre Aleph today?

For decades, the repertoire has circled around exile, memory, dictatorship, and resistance through art — themes Castro lived through firsthand. After his death in 2021 (from complications of COVID-19), his sons Oscar and Cosme Castro continue the theatre's artistic work. One of its notable recent productions, "Cuervo," is a theatrical documentary combining readings from their father's unpublished autobiography with footage from the brothers' journey retracing his story in Chile. Visitors can expect an intimate, small-scale venue and productions carrying real historical and political weight — a tone rarely found in larger commercial theatres.

How to get there and when to visit?

Théâtre Aleph is located at 30 rue Christophe Colomb in Ivry-sur-Seine, easily reachable by public transport from central Paris. The programme changes seasonally, so it's worth checking the theatre's current schedule before visiting and booking tickets by phone or online — the auditorium is small and performances draw a loyal following.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded Théâtre Aleph? It was founded by Oscar Castro Ramírez, a Chilean director and playwright, in 1968 in Santiago de Chile, before he went into exile in France.

Why is the theatre's history tied to Pinochet's prison camps? Castro was imprisoned from 1974 to 1976 and during that time wrote and staged a new play every week for fellow inmates — an experience that shaped the theatre's later repertoire.

Since when has the theatre been based in Ivry-sur-Seine? Théâtre Aleph has had its own venue at 30 rue Christophe Colomb since 1995, in a converted former cardboard factory.

Is the theatre still active after its founder's death? Yes. Following Oscar Castro's death in 2021, his sons continue its artistic work, including "Cuervo," a production based on his unpublished autobiography.