Alhambra Maurice-Chevalier
50 Rue de Malte, 75011 Paris, France

The Alhambra-Maurice Chevalier opened in 1866, and after a long history, and many name changes, was finally demolished in 1967. When the theatre originally opened, it was called the Cirque-Impérial, but would change its name to honour the beloved French actor and singer Maurice Chevalier in 1956. A new Alhambra opened in 2008 at 21 rue Yves-Toudic, 300 metres away from the former Alhambra Maurice-Chevalier.

Jean Nohain – Jean Nohain began his career as a journalist on the newspaper L’Écho de Paris, where he was in charge of the children’s page. In 1923 he made his first foray into radio, working on the game show Avec quoi faisons-nous ce bruit?, where listeners had to recognise a noise (a slamming door, a bicycle bell, etc.). His original ideas for radio programmes graced French airwaves for another 50 years, these included nationals gems such as Comme le temps passe, Que personne ne sorte, Reine d’un jour, and the television hits 36 chandelles, and Quand j’avais dix ans.

Gala des Jeunes – 1960
Young people could obtain tickets to the Gala des Jeunes at the Alhambra Maurice-Chevalier in 1960 if they collected 30 empty TILLY yogurt pots. The matinee event was hosted by Jean Nohain and featured the talents of ventriloquist Jacques Courtois, who became popular thanks to his puppets Omer, the Duck, and the dog Hercule. The music was provided by the l’Orchestre de Jeux et Variétés de la Radiodiffusion Télévision Française, and the children were kept amused by jugglers, clowns and magicians.
Children who wished to go up on stage during the performance had to make a drawing of a yogurt pot on the back of the playbill. The best 5 in each age category were chosen, and the winner took home a new bicycle.