Firmin Gémier

Firmin Gémier (; 1869–1933) was a French actor and director. Internationally, he is most famous for originating the role of Père Ubu in Alfred Jarry’s play Ubu Roi. He is known as the principal architect of the popular theatre movement in France. :514 He was raised an orphan. :88 After leaving school, he studied in a chemist's laboratory, but 'was discharged' for mimicking his employer. :514

As director Gémier was also a prolific director, staging over 300 productions during the course of his career. :20 His goal as director was to create a theatre that was 'both popular and national, not sectarian but unifying'. :217

In 1911, he initiated the privately funded Théâtre National Ambulant (TNA). :4 In 1927, he founded the Société universelle du théâtre with the support of the League of Nations. :499

Theaters he directed

Théâtre de la Rénaissance (1901–1902) Théâtre Antoine (1906-1921) Théâtre National Ambulant (1911–1912) Comédie Montaigne (1919–1920) Théâtre National Populaire (1920-1921) Odéon (1922-1930) :88