Théâtre de Vidy: the rest of the season has been revealed

In a context of wars, violations of international law and following an American presidential election which brings a “populist and macho man” to power, the Théâtre de Vidy does not want to give up. “We still believe in it!” swears Vincent Baudriller, director of a Lausanne institution which strives to place its scenes at the heart of the contradictions and oppositions of the march of the world and claims an occupancy rate of its first part of the season of 75%, like the year last.

How does the person responsible for the flagship of Vaud theater creation conceive of his credo? “The strength of theater, of representation, allows us to remember that other futures are possible. More breathable, more desirable. Theater is not going to change the world, but it can help everyone to commit to doing so…”

If politics occupies a central place in the second part of the season which will open on January 15 with the new creation by Dieudonné Niangouna, “Opération Rumba”, this dimension does not stifle an offer weighted with poetry, movement and literature, with all due respect to those who think contemporary creation and first-rate textuality are incompatible. And this attention to words does not only come through readings, like those of Ed Wige and Jérémy Gindre, two Swiss Literature Prizes (January 17), or of Olivier Cadiot, who will not only give insight into his latest book, “ Departures of fire”, but also the text written for Christoph Marthaler, “Irreparable”.

Letters and boards

Literature punctuates the course of Vidy’s programming, without giving in to traditional formats. With “Par autan” (from January 29), the Théâtre du Radeau enlists, for example, Walser, Kafka, Kleist and Chekhov on its drunken boat. Olivia Grandville or David Geselson take on texts closer to us. The first (from February 8) with an adaptation of “The War of the Poor” by Eric Vuillard, a story of a popular insurrection in 1524, in southern Germany. The second (from February 26) draws on the poignant “Letter to D. – Story of a Love” by André Gorz.

In Vidy, literature makes big leaps. Announced event for this upcoming school year, “The Employees” by Lukasz Twarkowski (from February 28), new Polish star of the European scenes with “Lokis”, based on the Cantat affair, or “Rothko”, around the American painter , is based on a science fiction novel by Olga Ravn. While Gwenaël Morin’s “Quichotte” (from March 11), with Jeanne Balibar in the title role, is obviously inspired by Cervantes to tinker with his rough-hewn theater. As for Lola Giouse, if she takes on “Cyrano de Bergerac” by Edmond Rostand (from May 5), it is to better deconstruct its representation, thanks to an incarnation of the character taken care of by a collective of actresses. Büchner and Calvino still hide in this literary forest…

Possible paths

Other paths are obviously possible in the range of Vidy, which also offers a fun, but very useful, map to carve out a path to suit you and your tastes in the programming, by following paths like “Play for two”, “Meeting other cultures” or “From one generation to another” and by gauging the emotional weather of some 25 proposals.

Ten years after the arrival of Vincent Baudriller, Vidy has won the challenge of rejuvenating its audience. The age groups are all represented approximately equally, even if the proportions vary depending on the show. For the sake of sustainability, but also to reaffirm its best choices, the Theater insists on revivals which allow the relaunch of proven creations (“Preparation for a miracle” by Marc Oosterhoff, the “Hominal/Öhrn”, the “Wasted Land” by Ntando Cele).

“Kill fascists”

Impossible to name everyone… We will end with an unbeatable set. First Tiago Rodrigues, director of Avignon, who returns not only with “By Heart”, but also with a “Catarina and the beauty of killing fascists” more relevant than ever. Then, the Swiss Christoph Marthaler will be at the center of a Tempo Forte – “highlight” which replaces, in May, the festival logic of Program Commun, but without Arsenic and Sévelin on the bill – with his new creation, “ The summit”.

In the same sequence, the Brazilian Gabriela Carneiro da Cunha will give voice to the polluted Tapajós watercourse and its mercury poisoned women. From the Amazon to Lake Geneva, from capitalist industry to the words of women: Vidy’s mission continues its course.

To see again in December

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