Theatre belongs to the literary domain while having specific creative aspects that binds it to its socio-historical context. It is one of the most effective collective expressions of society, especially in the considered period (1789-1815), when dramatic fiction reflected and contributed to shaping an “esprit collectif”. Its analysis permits a still topical reflection on collective and institutional mechanisms of control of the freedom of art (and press). The project studied the French production of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic period with a particular focus on the interconnections between cultural policies and arts de la scene, a still actual topic. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the analysis of dramatic production has permitted to move beyond a form of textual interpretation. We could therefore enhance critical reflection on a quite neglected production while contributing to define a more scientific and unitary vision of the evolution of aesthetic and dramatic art.
Rev.e project had two objectives. First, the reconstruction of a missing calendar of the Parisian theatrical repertory during the Consulate (November 1799-May 1804). All collected data will be published in a freely accessible online database to partially solve the current lack of reliable and easily available data by supplying a clear mapping of the repertory (the scarcity of available data has strongly limited the development of critical studies). The reconstruction of the dramatic calendar of the Consulate has been established on the basis of the scrutiny of primary materials and the results will be published online starting from February 2023.
Second, the project has investigated the existing relationships between the theatrical landscape and the broader social and political circumstances. Theatre has been analysed in its interconnections with History and cultural policies to enhance critical reflection on a neglected production through the adoption of an original interdisciplinary approach taking into consideration historical, political and literary aspects to permit the deepening of our understanding of the dramatic production. As an example, the conference Les masques de l'Empereur (2021) focused on the different reception of Napoleon's image as represented in dramatic art, engravings, etc., while the final conference Vie des théatres et poésie dramatique du Consulat à la restauration (1799-1823) focused on textual, scenic, performative aspects relied to the development of different genres. As for public engagement and outreach activities, we wanted to let non specialists know more about the Napoleonic period and its artistic production at the occasion of the bicentenary of Napoleon's death (May 2021) and beyond. To do so, we organised and led many public talks, staged a coeval melodrama and organised the exposition "Costuming the Consulate and the Empire".
