Lille. Did you know? The Sevastopol Theater was built in 100 days

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You may have already had the chance to go there for a show, and see some magic happen. Or even go behind the scenes, during the European Heritage Days. THE Sevastopol theater of Lille (North) has a unique history. The one that many artists remember with wonder was built… in less than 4 months!

100 days, a little over 100 years ago

“The history of the building is particularly rich,” recalls the City of Lille in a history. “The Lille Opera burned on April 6, 1903, and the Lille municipality then ordered the construction of a temporary theater in 100 days,” it is said.

At the time, the building was called the “Great theater”replaced a few years later by opera as we know it. The latter also celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023. “The challenge is taken up by thearchitect Hainez and the deadline exceeded by only two days. The viewer then discovers a 2,000-seat room (which is not yet called Sébastopol) whose orchestra pit, almost at the level of the hall, is clearly visible to the public,” reports the City of Lille.

This technical feat was only possible thanks to the fact that the location was supposed to be temporary, specifies the municipality.

A reopening after upgrading in 1998

At the end of 1998, after two years of work to bring it into safety compliance, the theater opened its doors again. “Very good visibility and perfect acoustics have since contributed to its constant success. » An element highlighted by artists, who often remember places with emotion.

Unfortunately, this aspect of urgency at the time meant that the building had its fragilities. “The technical choices that allowed its rapid construction at the time relegated the durability of the materials over time to second place,” argues the City. This leads to “significant damage to the main facade and the roof. » Work is therefore regularly carried out to allow the building to continue to welcome the public.

A stage for all the arts

This year, a new stage of work was launched, even though the Solférino district is in full transformation.

More than 100 years after its inauguration, the theater’s programming is very varied: plays or stand-up shows, magic or dance shows, concerts and other offerings for audiences of all ages are available all season long.

The theater will undoubtedly continue to arouse emotions for a long time in the artists who perform there and the spectators, in a city in which stories, each more extraordinary than the last, collide…

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