Eight theater companies from Nice set out to conquer the Avignon Festival. As a preview, six of them are offering their show in Nice from June 6 to 10.
No need to travel to the Avignon Off to attend performances by Nice troupes. Before performing on the stages of the City of the Popes, six companies will present their show from June 6 to 10 “à la maïoun.” These include “Ah le Zébre!”, “Banana Club,” “Blue Moon,” “Gorkowai,” “Le fruit du hasard,” and “Nouez vous.”
Solo performances, comedy, black humor, musical show, there’s something for everyone. The genres are as varied as the themes explored. Two other troupes also venture to Avignon: the Gorgomar Company with
Le GOP – Grand Orchestre de Poche and the Miranda Company with
Frankenstein. The Cabaret of Lost Souls.
“Going to Avignon is always a gamble, sometimes it opens the door to beautiful dreams. But it can also be complicated, financially, artistically, so it’s always the most courageous companies that embark on this adventure,” emphasizes Patrick Mottard, municipal councilor delegated to Live Performance and the Development of New Cultural Audiences.
Spotlight on the theatrical offer from Nice
This is the fifth edition of an initiative entitled “Les compagnies sur le Pont”. An operation conducted by the municipality to “shine a light” on Nice theater and “encourage” actors before their departure. The City’s support involves promoting the diversity of the theatrical offer from Nice to local, then national audiences in Avignon. The community finances the printing of posters and flyers to increase visibility.
The Francis Gag Theater hosts six shows every evening from Tuesday, June 6 to 10. A rehearsal time before the festival is also granted to companies that wish. The Théâtre des Oiseaux is also joining the event for a single performance on Wednesday, June 7 at 7:45 PM. Here is the detailed program for you.
Tuesday, June 6
For this first evening, all the spotlights are on Thierry de Pina from the “Ah le Zébre!” company. The actor takes the stage twice in the same evening, at 7:00 PM and then at 8:30 PM. A unique performance as he performs two different solo acts back to back. First, he offers an intimate moment of sharing with Qui va là. Then, he steps into the shoes of Marie-Pierre, a transgender woman in Le mardi à Monoprix. Two theatrical pieces by Emmanuel Darley suitable for audiences aged 12 and up.
They will be performed in Avignon from July 7 to 29, on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 10:00 AM, at the BA Théâtre.
Wednesday, June 7
At 7:45 PM, three knocks will mark the beginning of Erreur de Casting. Five characters will occupy the stage of the Théâtre des Oiseaux in a comedy by Noëlle Perna, known as Mado la Niçoise. A play to be seen in Avignon from July 7 to 29 at 3:40 PM, at La Comédie du Forum (except on Tuesdays).
At Francis Gag, the curtain will rise at 8:00 PM for Erwan Quesnels. Alone on stage, in an autobiographical show entitled La complainte du BIPO, the actor shares his insight into psychiatry. The former math teacher, diagnosed with bipolar disorder, presents with humor, sometimes black, sometimes light, the explanation of delusional episodes. “Testimony, coming-out, this tragicomedy brings mental illness out of the taboo and stigma.” The actor will be welcomed at the Avignon OFF Festival from July 7 to 29 at 10:45 AM, at the Théâtre L’Ambigu (except on Tuesdays).
Thursday, June 8
Éric Fardeau from the “Nouez vous” company will take the stage at 8:00 PM in a dark comedy entitled PROF! What to expect? He will perform a play by Jean-Pierre Dopagne in real festival conditions, with the lights on. The actor and director portrays a literature professor who “comes on stage to share his vocation, his life as a teacher, his deepest thoughts, his relationship with students, colleagues, the ministry, and his family. This teacher is ready for anything… For the best and for the worst… This teacher is a monster or a hero… You decide.”
A show suitable for audiences aged 14 and over, to be seen in Avignon at the Théâtre Al Andalus, from July 7 to 29 at 2:10 PM, (except on Tuesdays).
Friday, June 9
Because even after the Molière year, Molière can still be performed, Emmanuelle Lorre from the Blue Moon company presents Face to face with… Molière, the illustrious unknown. At 8:00 PM in a solo performance, she will unveil “certain little-known aspects of the ‘master’.” She will also take the opportunity to clarify some inaccuracies about the history of Jean-Baptiste Poquelin.
A show suitable for audiences aged 10 and over, lasting 1h25, to be seen in Avignon from July 7 to 29 at 6:25 PM, at the Théâtre l’Optimist (except on Tuesdays).
Saturday, June 10
To close this fifth edition of “Les Compagnies sur le Pont,” a rendezvous is set at 8:00 PM for a musical show with a sunny vibe. Marseille en scène, in co-production with Le fruit du hasard, presents Cigalon by Marcel Pagnol. They offer an adaptation of a lesser-known work by Pagnol based on the comic by Serge Sotto, Éric Stoffel, and Éric Hübsch. The music is composed by Isabelle Fleur.
The show can be found at the festival from July 7 to 29 at 1:10 PM, at the Théâtre Le Rouge Gorge (except on Wednesdays).
