The 'fourth wall' concept is particular to performance - the idea of an invisible wall that allows performers to be seen by the audience while they remain seemingly unaware of the onlookers. In comedy clubs, however, this wall is thoroughly broken by the comedian addressing and interacting with the audience. This was the inspiration for the extraordinary brick backdrop at Le Paname, one of Paris's most well-known comedy clubs. Here the stage's wall seemingly erupts behind the performer, the bricks displaced and jutting out, with a void in the middle revealing the illuminated name of the club. The drama is amplified to great effect by the mirrored ceiling and walls to give the impression of a far larger installation. So how did the architect, Paris and LA-based practice Malka Architecture, do it? Stephane Malka explains that as well as the fourth wall concept, he wanted to reference the no-frills origins of comedy clubs in repurposed warehouse/ industrial spaces of New York and Chicago.
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