The Regional Theater of Skikda (TRS) is a major cultural facility in the city of Skikda, Algeria. Built between 1912 and 1932 under the direction of architect Charles Montaland, it replaced an old wooden theater and was constructed on the ruins of the Roman Temple of Venus.
History
Construction of the TRS began in 1912, but work had to be suspended during World War I. The theater was finally inaugurated on March 19, 1932, and was designed to accommodate 500 spectators.
During the colonial period, the TRS was “completely foreign to Algerians,” reserved exclusively for Europeans. It was not until the 1940s that an Arab theater scene began to develop there, with the first tours by famous troupes like those of Youcef Wahbi and Mouhieddine Bachtarzi.
After independence, the theater experienced a particularly dynamic period in the 1970s, with the creation of many troupes. The most renowned was the “Et-Taléa” (Vanguard) troupe, which developed socially and politically engaged theater.
The TRS has hosted many figures of Algerian theater, such as actress Sonia (Sakina Mikou), who directed it from 2009 to 2012, and director Djamel Hamouda. Actor and director Azzedine Medjoubi, a native of Skikda, also left a significant mark on the history of national theater.
Architecture
In an eclectic style with a dominant Baroque influence, the theater covers an area of 1,000 square meters. Its main facade is particularly impressive, reminiscent of the famous Scala of Milan. It features a central protruding section in a semicircular arc, adorned with three crescent-shaped balconies with openwork balustrades. Under each balcony and above the three large entrance doors, one can see mascarons representing the heads of screaming characters, characteristic of Baroque art.
Above the facade, a frieze bears the name of the building in classic Latin letters, topped by a cornice in the form of an openwork balustrade. On the central section, four monumental fire urns complete the decoration in a typical Baroque style.
Set slightly back, a tympanum with a triangular pediment in a Greco-Roman style crowns the entire structure, topped by a blue slate roof that was restored in 1998.
The main entrance is accessed by a large staircase leading to an esplanade north of the building. Inside, a large oval hall houses the foyer.
The Regional Theater of Skikda (TRS) is a major cultural facility in the city of Skikda, Algeria. Built between 1912 and 1932 under the direction of architect Charles Montaland, it replaced an old wooden theater and was constructed on the ruins of the Roman Temple of Venus.
History
Construction of the TRS began in 1912, but work had to be suspended during World War I. The theater was finally inaugurated on March 19, 1932, and was designed to accommodate 500 spectators.
During the colonial period, the TRS was “completely foreign to Algerians,” reserved exclusively for Europeans. It was not until the 1940s that an Arab theater scene began to develop there, with the first tours by famous troupes like those of Youcef Wahbi and Mouhieddine Bachtarzi.
After independence, the theater experienced a particularly dynamic period in the 1970s, with the creation of many troupes. The most renowned was the “Et-Taléa” (Vanguard) troupe, which developed socially and politically engaged theater.
The TRS has hosted many figures of Algerian theater, such as actress Sonia (Sakina Mikou), who directed it from 2009 to 2012, and director Djamel Hamouda. Actor and director Azzedine Medjoubi, a native of Skikda, also left a significant mark on the history of national theater.
Architecture
In an eclectic style with a dominant Baroque influence, the theater covers an area of 1,000 square meters. Its main facade is particularly impressive, reminiscent of the famous Scala of Milan. It features a central protruding section in a semicircular arc, adorned with three crescent-shaped balconies with openwork balustrades. Under each balcony and above the three large entrance doors, one can see mascarons representing the heads of screaming characters, characteristic of Baroque art.
Above the facade, a frieze bears the name of the building in classic Latin letters, topped by a cornice in the form of an openwork balustrade. On the central section, four monumental fire urns complete the decoration in a typical Baroque style.
Set slightly back, a tympanum with a triangular pediment in a Greco-Roman style crowns the entire structure, topped by a blue slate roof that was restored in 1998.
The main entrance is accessed by a large staircase leading to an esplanade north of the building. Inside, a large oval hall houses the foyer.
