Théâtre du Balcon

Théâtre du Balcon is an independent theatre in Avignon that keeps original productions running all year, not just during the festival month. The building sits on Rue Guillaume Puy, only a short walk from the Palais des Papes and the old town's ramparts, so an evening here pairs easily with a day of sightseeing in the historic centre.

The company behind it, Compagnie Serge Barbuscia, was founded in 1983 by director Serge Barbuscia. The venue itself came a year later, in 1984, after a two-year search for a space large enough in central Avignon. What the team found was a derelict building that had most recently been used for storage — but which had originally been the winter garden of a bourgeois townhouse next door, once home to a count who served as Chile's ambassador. The seating came together with whatever materials were at hand — makeshift risers and flooring — and that improvised setup became the theatre still running today.

What will you find inside?

The complex covers nearly 700 square metres, split into a large reception hall, a 200-seat main auditorium, a 130-square-metre rehearsal room, plus storage and office space. That layout is typical of a theatre that produces its own shows rather than simply renting out a stage to touring companies — the sizeable rehearsal room in particular is unusual for a venue this central.

Programming leans on the tradition of popular theatre, a lineage Serge Barbuscia openly claims, naming Jean Vilar and René Char as guiding influences. The repertoire mixes classic texts with new writing, and colleagues describe Barbuscia less as a conventional director than as a "diracteur" — a coined term meant to capture someone who leads the ensemble from the inside rather than simply managing it from a distance.

How do you get there?

Théâtre du Balcon is located at 38 Rue Guillaume Puy, inside Avignon's city walls, which makes it an easy walk from almost anywhere in the centre — from the square in front of the Palais des Papes it's a matter of minutes, not kilometres. For visitors juggling multiple shows in one evening, the location is convenient too, sitting close to several other festival venues.

When should you visit?

The theatre is closely tied to the Festival Off Avignon — it's listed among the festival's official venues — and every July, when the city hosts hundreds of overlapping performances, Théâtre du Balcon is one of the active stages in that programme. Outside festival season, it runs its own regular calendar, so productions by Compagnie Serge Barbuscia and guest artists can also be seen in autumn and winter, in a quieter setting than the July crowds.

Frequently asked questions

Who founded Théâtre du Balcon? The theatre was founded in 1983 by director Serge Barbuscia, and a year later, in 1984, his team found and adapted the current building on Rue Guillaume Puy.

How many seats does the main hall have? The main auditorium seats 200 people. The whole building covers nearly 700 square metres, including a 130-square-metre rehearsal room plus reception and office spaces.

Is the theatre only open during Festival Off Avignon? No — while it's one of the recognised festival addresses in July, Théâtre du Balcon also runs a regular season for the rest of the year with its own repertoire from Compagnie Serge Barbuscia.

How far is it from central Avignon? Very close — the building stands inside the city walls on Rue Guillaume Puy, just a few minutes' walk from the Palais des Papes and the main sights of the old town.