She couldn't tell you how it all started, with what spectacle. “It was definitely when I was in college. They took me to the theater. The word that comes to mind is wonder.” Christine Malard chooses her words to tell you about herself. Because the important thing is not her person, it is the project she carries out. Director of the Aubusson National Stage, it’s a challenge. We have to program shows, support creation, set up exhibitions and theater classes for the neighboring high school.
The day we meet, Fanny, a circus performer, occupies the place. “She is in residence for 15 days. When she leaves, she will give us a presentation in front of the public. It is a very precious moment. For the spectator, it is the discovery of the back kitchen, for the artist, It’s a crash test before the final show is created.”
Going to the theater, a class story
Christine is concerned about sharing. Culture as a window on life. And don't go telling him that Creuse suffers from a lack of culture. “It's not true. It's the people here who make it.” Since 1981 and the construction of the Jean Lurçat Theater, the Scène nationale d'Aubusson has been doing its part by offering hybrid shows, halfway between theater, dance and music. Here, many come to test themselves. “We like to present emerging artists who are at the beginning of their journey.”
Christine Malard comes from this rurality. “We always put a little bit of ourselves into what we do.” But how do you bring the audience into the room? There is the pricing policy (9 euros per show when you are a member). The purchasing power of the population must be taken into account. There is direct contact with the artists at the end of a show. Coming to the theater is an apprenticeship. We don't come there like that. “It’s a class thing.” The best compliment for Christine? “Make us feel at home here.”
And to find out more about the programming of the Jean Lurçat theater, click ici.
