La Criée

What La Criée does

La Criée, legally "La Criée, Théâtre national de Marseille," is a French national theatre institution founded in 1981, operating as a SARL (Société à Responsabilité Limitée) headquartered at 30 Quai de Rive Neuve in Marseille, with 51-100 employees. Designated as a "Théâtre National," the institution holds one of France's prestigious national theatre designations and operates under the direction of Robin Renucci as Directeur général. The theatre's core product is a season-based program (currently 26/27) of contemporary performing arts — theatre, dance, music, circus, and puppet/object arts — presented across two main venues (Salle Déméter and Salle Ouranos) and four off-site partner locations spanning Marseille and Aix-en-Provence, including Friche la Belle de Mai, Théâtre Joliette, Théâtre Antoine Vitez, and Théâtre de l'Astronef at Centre Hospitalier Edouard Toulouse.

The institution's business model combines multiple revenue streams: individual ticket sales (€6-€26 per performance) through a third-party online ticketing platform, physical box office, and phone sales; season subscriptions (Abonnements) at reduced rates for repeat attendance; private venue rental (Privatisation) for corporate events and weddings; and ancillary on-site services including Les Grandes Tables restaurant (operated by chef Laurent Mercier), the Librairie Histoire de l'Œil bookshop, and a participatory library in the lobby. Theatre also derives substantial revenue from French public subsidies inherent to its National Theatre status, supplemented by corporate philanthropy through the Fonds de dotation "Le Souffle" and grants from foundations including Fondation de France and Fondation d'entreprise Hermès.

La Criée operates as a "Maison de Création" supporting artist development through the Jeune Troupe apprenticeship program (in partnership with ERACM since September 2023), coproductions with national and international partners (Ballet Preljocaj, Radio France, Fêtes nocturnes du Château de Grignan), and hosts the international Festival actoral (200+ artists annually). The institution differentiates through accessibility programming (LSF, audiodescription, Relax performances), community outreach (hospital performances, social center partnerships), and festival programming including Festival En Ribambelle (puppet arts) and Petit Ciné Criée (youth cinema). Distribution channels include online ticketing, box office, phone sales, and partner-venue performances, with marketing across website, social media, email newsletters, and earned media.

Name

La Criée

Legal name

La Criée, Théâtre national de Marseille

Website

https://theatre-lacriee.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1981

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

La Criée is a designated French National Theatre in Marseille, presenting contemporary performing arts (theatre, dance, music, circus) across multiple venues and festivals. It serves the general public, families, schools, and artists via ticket sales, subscriptions, venue rental, and artist development programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Live Performing Arts / Theatre Services

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (711110), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG), Venue Guest Services & Front-of-House Operations (Ushers, Box Office, Accessibility) (MPAGALAK)

Keywords

• Live theatre performances
• Performing arts venue
• Contemporary theatre
• Cultural programming
• National theatre

Headquarters

HQ city

Marseille

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Individual ticket sales for performances and events through online platform and physical box office
2. Season Subscriptions: Annual and seasonal subscription packages offering reduced rates for multiple performances
3. Venue Rental: Private events and venue privatization services

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

La Criée is a designated French National Theatre (Théâtre National de Marseille) that produces, hosts, and tours contemporary performing arts including theatre, dance, music, and circus. It operates two main stages (Salle Déméter and Salle Ouranos), runs seasonal programming with over 50 performances per season, and produces festivals (actoral, En Ribambelle) and youth programs. The venue also offers venue rental, accessibility-focused performances (LSF, audiodescription, Relax), and ancillary on-site services such as a restaurant and bookstore.

Product overview

La Criée - Théâtre National de Marseille is a national theater presenting contemporary performing arts programming including theater, dance, music, and circus performances. The theater operates two main stages (Salle Déméter and Salle Ouranos), hosts an annual international festival (actoral), and offers a youth theater company program. Auxiliary services include an on-site restaurant (Les Grandes Tables), a participatory library, and a bookshop (Librairie Histoire de l'Œil). The theater also produces coproductions with national and international venues and tours productions across France and beyond.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Contemporary Performing Arts Season Programming

Quantifiable outcome

• Festival actoral brings 200+ artists annually to Marseille
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.

• Ballet PreljocajcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 May 2027National Choreography Centre in Aix-en-Provence, coproducing Soulèvement by Angelin Preljocaj.
• Festival international Music & Cinema Marseille (MCM)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2027Partner for Petit Ciné Criée event, combining cinema and music programming for youth audiences.
• Conservatoire Pierre Barbizet de MarseillecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2027Music conservatory partnering for concerts and cine-concerts including Le Chant des Oiseaux and Petit Ciné Criée programming.
• Festival International du Court Métrage de Clermont-FerrandminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2027Film festival partnering for Mini Ciné Criée, providing short film programming for young audiences (3-6 years).
• École SATIS (Aix-Marseille Université)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2027Film school providing student programming and cine-concert for Petit Ciné Criée.
• Fêtes nocturnes du Château de GrignancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 January 2027Summer festival where La Criée's production L'École des femmes premiered in June 2026 before its Marseille season.
• La baleine qui dit vaguesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 December 2026Partner organization for Dame Neige storytelling performance.
• Radio FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 December 2026Public broadcaster coproducing Les Résistantes, adapted from France Inter podcast.
• Marseille ConcertscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 December 2026Music organization coprogramming concerts including Rhapsody in blue and Le Carnaval des Animaux at La Criée.
• Théâtre de l'AstronefcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 November 2026Theatre located at Centre Hospitalier Edouard Toulouse. Partner for accessible performances bringing theatre to hospital settings, including Françé and Un moment suspendu.
• Friche la Belle de MaicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 November 2026Major cultural venue in Marseille hosting off-site performances (Hors les murs) including Boat People, Bunker, Ces nains portent quoi, and Morphé.
• Théâtre JoliettecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 November 2026Coproduction partner for performances like Jouer La Mouette. Located in Marseille's 2nd arrondissement.
• Théâtre Antoine VitezcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 October 2026University theatre venue in Aix-en-Provence. Partner for performances including Un moment suspendu as part of the 'La Criée lève l'ancre' off-site programming.
• Centre Hospitalier Edouard ToulousecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 October 2026Hospital hosting accessible theatre performances through its Théâtre de l'Astronef venue, part of La Criée's community outreach.
• Festival En RibambellemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 October 2026Festival En Ribambelle is a puppet and object arts festival. La Criée hosts performances including Morphé and Ces nains portent quoi during the festival's 13th edition.
• Festival actoralmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 September 2026Festival actoral is an international contemporary arts festival held annually in Marseille. La Criée participates by hosting and coprogramming performances as part of the festival, featuring over 200 artists across theatre, dance, performance, literature, visual arts, music, and cinema.
• ERACM (École Régionale d'Acteurs de Cannes et Marseille)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDrama school whose students participate in La Criée's Jeune Troupe apprenticeship program since September 2023.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Théâtre National Populaire (TNP): Villeurbanne/Lyon-based national theatre sharing the same Théâtre National designation, public-subsidy model, multi-stage operation, and contemporary repertoire approach as La Criée.
• Théâtre National de la Colline: Paris-based national theatre with a comparable designation and contemporary performing arts programming across multiple stages. Directly comparable as a fellow Théâtre National presenting theatre, dance, and coproductions through public funding.
• Théâtre National de Strasbourg: Another French Théâtre National focused on contemporary creation, coproductions, and artist development. Directly comparable in scale, mission, and funding structure to La Criée.
• Odéon-Théâtre de l'Europe: Paris-based national theatre with European remit, multi-venue operations, contemporary programming, and coproductions. Closely comparable institutional design and audience-development approach.
• Théâtre du Nord (Lille): Doubly-designated French national dramatic centre/CDN in Lille operating multiple venues under public funding. Directly comparable in institutional structure and programming scope to La Criée.
• Festival d'Avignon: France's largest performing arts festival and an active programming partner of La Criée. Comparable as a curated contemporary performing arts platform combining ticketing, public subsidy, and broad artist programming.

Broad incumbents

• Comédie-Française: Historic French national theatre institution with broader repertoire and substantially larger scale. Comparable as a publicly funded theatre presenter but operates at a significantly broader and more established tier.

Regional players

• La Manufacture (Lausanne): Swiss francophone national theatre combining theatre school, contemporary programming, and multi-stage operations. Comparable in mission and operating model but in a different country.
• La Friche la Belle de Mai: Marseille-based cultural venue hosting off-site La Criée performances. Comparable as a multi-discipline contemporary arts operator in the same metropolitan market with overlapping audiences.

Emerging players

• Ballet Preljocaj: National Choreography Centre in Aix-en-Provence and active La Criée coproduction partner (Soulèvement). Comparable as a publicly subsidized performing arts creator presenting contemporary work in the Provence region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/theatrelacriee
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/LACRIEEMARSEILLE
• Facebookfacebook.com/lacriee
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/la-criee-theatre-national-de-marseille
• Instagraminstagram.com/theatrelacriee

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about La Criée