Municipal Theater, Port Louis (must see)

The Municipal Theater of Port-Louis is a historic landmark and an important cultural institution in Port Louis. It is the oldest theater in the southern hemisphere and was built during the English era in 1820 by renowned architect Pierre Poujade. The theater's interior decoration was done by Pierre Thuillier.

The inauguration of the theater took place in 1822, and it became an important part of the life of the people, especially the bourgeoisie of the time. The theater hosted a variety of shows, including balls, operas, and plays. However, it experienced several closures during its existence, including a period from 1892 to 1894 due to a cyclone and epidemics.

In the 20th century, the theater rose to popularity thanks to La troupe Moutia, which performed many operas and other pieces. However, it had to close its doors again during World War II and remained closed for seven years.

After the independence of Mauritius in 1968, the theater experienced a revival and regained its former glory, hosting many foreign troops, operas, concerts, and musicals. However, in 1854, the municipal corporation of Port-Louis purchased the theater and transformed it into a cinema. Fortunately, the theater was saved by Gérard Barry and other actors who stepped in to preserve this important cultural heritage.

In the 90s, the architects Lam Po Tang, Pascale Siew, and their team worked to revive the theater, aiming to preserve its rich history and pass it on to future generations. The remodeling work began in 1993 and was intended to bring out the originality of the theater as it was at the very beginning of its construction, while also preserving its cultural heritage. Despite the challenges posed by the many layers of paint, the architects were able to create a unique and stunning space for the arts.