Since 1920, this theater has staged satires of the foibles, excesses, and stupidities of French governments. Favorite targets are President Jacques Chirac and other mandarins of the héxagone française. Cultural icons, French and foreign, receive a grilling that's very funny and sometimes caustic. The place considers itself more of a theater than a cabaret and doesn't serve drinks or refreshments. The 2 1/2-hour show is conducted in rapid-fire French slang, so if your syntax isn't up to par, you won't appreciate its charms.