the RN town hall of Hénin-Beaumont takes the keys to L’Escapade Théâtre

Last act of a bad play in Hénin-Beaumont, in Pas-de-Calais: the town hall, in the hands of the National Rally, definitively takes over L’Escapade Théâtre.

ODidn’t take the time to say goodbye, Go out?… The titles of some of the next plays programmed by the L’Escapade d’Hénin-Beaumont association do not lack irony in view of the situation. Because the theater will fall into the hands of the town hall (RN) headed by Steeve Briois on Friday. The predictable outcome of a crisis which had been brewing for almost two years, which pitted, on the one hand, the association which managed the theater, on the other hand, the municipality, which had clearly decided to take control of it.

It was the former president of L’Escapade, Jean-Luc Dubroecq, close to the town hall, who ultimately facilitated this takeover bid. Last January, he signed with the mayor – without the approval of the board of directors or the director of the theater – a new agreement which provided in particular “the possibility of reassigning the place to cultural use under municipal management” with sixty days’ notice. In two days, this “possibility” will have become reality since, on November 25, the town hall announced that it would not extend the current agreement and asked the association to leave the premises definitively as of January 24. End of a story of more than fifty years.

Over the past ten days, events have accelerated. The president of the Association l’Escapade d’Hénin-Beaumont was dismissed during an extraordinary general meeting on January 13. His successor hastened to request a meeting with the mayor to try to save what could still be saved. In response, Monique Béjault, the association’s historic treasurer, received a visit from a bailiff responsible for verifying the accounts. Finally, the members of the Escapade received a registered letter from the town hall: The “municipal decision was not contested within the two months of appeal before the administrative court of Lille, it has therefore become final”writes the mayor of Hénin-Beaumont. Who summons them, this Friday morning, to carry out an inventory of the premises in the presence of a justice commissioner.

« Steeve Briois refused any dialoguelaments one of the members of the association, Cynthia Destin, it is the end of a long story in this theater. From now on, our objective is to keep the association alive outside the walls, to find a place to welcome the companies who are committed to our side and to ensure that they are paid. » Not easy, because by losing its traditional location, the association also loses its main source of funding: an annual subsidy from the town hall of 300,000 euros. And given the current situation of local authorities, it is not certain that these other contributors (the regional council and the department) will rush to come to its aid.

It is unspeakably brutal, a waste, a contempt for the public and a crass ignorance of the way creation works.

Audrey Chapon, author and director

The association will, however, be able to count on the support of the socialist town hall of Carvin, a town close to Hénin-Beaumont. In a press release made public this Wednesday, its mayor, Philippe Kemel, declares that he wishes “establish a partnership with Escapade, allowing the association to continue its essential activities and maintain its programming planned for 2025”. A buoy which will probably not save all the shows but could allow the Escapade to find a new lease of life. In the meantime, the companies denounce the attitude of the town hall and organize themselves as best they can. “ These people dare everything and more and more openly. It’s unspeakably brutal, a waste, a contempt for the public and a crass ignorance of how creation works. », protests the author and director, Audrey Chapon.

His company, LaZlo, was to be hosted this Thursday for ten days in residence at the Théâtre de l’Escapade before perform the premiere of his show, “Poin (g)” on January 30. This is obviously no longer a question. She found refuge for a few days to finalize her creation in a nearby cultural space, La Gare de Méricourt, where she is scheduled to perform on April 19. Same echo from director Stéphane Titelein, whose “Les voiles écarlates” was scheduled for February 4. “ The message of this piece is the anti-fascist fight, so it is no longer a question of playing Escapade but we will continue to support this association committed to the cause of popular education. » He also denounces the brutality of the town hall: “ I’m used to political combat but I’ve rarely seen something so violent ».

In the meantime, like in a bad divorce, everyone is doing their part. The association, in turn, brought in a bailiff to list what belongs to it: projectors, stage curtains, musical instruments… The meeting on Friday morning clearly promises to be awkward. The town hall does not respond but in a press release establishes the list of grievances which, according to it, justify the municipalization of the theater. “ The Escapade will continue to liveshe promises, the workshops will be taken over as will a large part of the staff. Programming is already underway which will allow a large audience to benefit from a cultural offering accessible to all, particularly on weekends. » Another story will be written. It will probably not have much to do with the one that is closing. In Hénin-Beaumont, the RN therefore won the cultural battle but for how long? “ The theater is over two thousand years old. He never died. These people do a lot of damage, but they are not immortal », wants to believe Audrey Chapon.