Résumé
The story opens on an evening at the Théâtre des Variétés in Paris, where a crowd is gathering for the debut of a new actress named Nana.
The public's curiosity is at a fever pitch, fueled by promotional posters and gossip, even though no one knows who she is. The director of the theater, Bordenave, crudely describes Nana to a journalist, claiming she doesn't need to be a good singer or actress because she has a certain indefinable quality that will captivate the audience.
Various members of the Parisian elite, including journalists and a banker, are introduced in this first chapter, all eagerly awaiting Nana's appearance.
The scene sets a tone of feverish anticipation for the spectacle and the woman at its center.