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ent000084-002

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ent000084-002
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    University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Libraries

    Picture yourself somewhere in the Montmartre district of Paris in the middle of the nineteenth century. Sophistication and elegance is the height of Parisian fashion. Historians referred to it as France's Golden Years. The year is 1869 and tonight is the opening of Paris' first Music Hall, the glamorous Folies Bergere Theatre. A new trend and style was introduced that evening, both in large scale production revues and entertainment pastimes. It became chic to be seen at the Folies Bergere so aristocrats and royal families alike came from all over the European continent to claim their coveted seats at the Folies. The dazzling display of color and motion that painted the Folies stage nightly, not to mention the beautiful girls, the dancing, the acrobatics, lights, costumes and scenery became the toast of Paris. The Folies Bergere was named for the nearby Rue Bergere, a district in Paris, which in turn, is a corruption of 'Bergier', the name of a master dyer who once had his business there. The term 'folies' for many years used to describe a piece of land where soft grass and lush thickets favored the clandestine meetings of romantic couples. The word later came to denote public places where Parisians of the 18th century could dance, drink and watch open-air entertainment Dancing and drinking was only the beginning for patrons who frequented the Folies Theatre in Paris. The Folies became the center of world attention as an entertainment spot for fostering new, upcoming stars. Variety acts and talented young artisans from around the world, names like Maurice Chevalier, Josephine Baker, the Marx Brothers, Charlie Chaplin, Colette, and Fernandel all made their claim to fame under the glittering marquee of the Folies. The show's reputation, however, would never be the same after that first nude showgirl appeared on the Folies stage. For on that night, a devastating hush fell over the audience, followed by a great sigh of admiration. A naughty new chapter had begun in the history of the Folies Bergere. As the Folies Bergere name and reputation quickly grew, the demand for the revue made its way throughout France and all of Europe. Soon, the show had developed a touring company and began performing to standing-room-only crowds around the world. In fact, the Folies Bergere has become known today as the most spectacular show in stage