Charles Langlois (actor)

Charles Langlois was born in Paris and became an actor early in life with a travelling theatre troupe who toured the French countryside.

In 1723, Langlois and his family arrived in Sweden as members of the troupe, which was hired to perform at the theatre of Bollhuset in Stockholm under the leadership of Jean-Baptiste Landé.

His speciality was playing kings and peasants within French theatre, and Scaramouche on the Italian stage, while his wife took the parts of queens and other characters.

When the first Swedish national theatre was founded in Bollhuset in 1737, there was a need for an experienced professional to organise the whole affair, and Langlois was hired as their director, a job for which he had great enthusiasm.

The theatre was temporarily closed in the 1738–39 season, and Langlois became one of the most eager participants in the task of persuading the government to open it again.