Roland Barthes is not well-known to our readers as a theater critic. However, he was deeply passionate about theater, not only as a spectator but also as one of the founders and regular contributors to the journal Théâtre populaire.

The 1950s were an exceptionally important time for French theater. It was during this period that the lines were drawn that shape the current theatrical landscape.

The texts collected here, whether they are critical reviews of long-forgotten performances, discussions of their political resonance, theoretical aspects, or historical excursions, invariably touch on the very essence of theater. Therefore, they remain of interest even today.