Lido de Paris to reopen as musical venue after sudden closure earlier this year

Lido de Paris, which closed its doors this summer after running for 76 years, is to reopen as a musical venue later this year.

It will start its new season with a production of Cabaret, starring a British cast.

Closing in July this year, the Champs-Élysées venue left several British dancers, some of who had appeared in the site-specific Bluebell Girls dance troupe for many years, jobless with only a few weeks’ notice. 

The cabaret spot was purchased last year by hotel giant Accor. According to some dancers, communication between the new owners and cast started to dwindle at the beginning of the year as rumours of its closure began to circulate. The rumours were confirmed in May, and it was announced the Lido was closing. 

Having closed its doors at the end of July, the venue is now to reopen as Lido 2 Paris, a dedicated musical venue, on December 1. 

Cabaret has been announced as the first show to debut in the rebranded theatre. The production will be directed by Robert Carsen, who previously directed Singin’ in the Rain and My Fair Lady at the Théâtre du Châtelet.

Fabian Aloise will choreograph the production, with costumes by Luis F Carvalho, set design by Carvalho and Carsen, and lighting design by Giuseppe Di Iorio and Carson.

Casting includes Sam Buttery as the Emcee, Lizzy Connolly as Sally Bowles and Oliver Dench as Cliff. Cabaret will run for 60 performances, closing on February 3, 2023.