Nice theatre companies take part in the Avignon festival: “A big investment to gain visibility”

Thierry de Pina, 57, is alone in the middle of the stage rehearsing. A Jean-Paul Gaultier dress on a hanger, a mirror, a chair and a handbag are next to him. It is time for the stage manager to make the final lighting adjustments before the performance. On June 7, the actor from the Nice theater company Ah le zèbre! performed his show Tuesday at Monoprix at the Francis-Gag theater in Nice.

The performance was part of the “Companies on the Bridge” program set up by the City of Nice ⁽¹⁾. “It gives them a boost. It’s sometimes complicated to find places to rehearse so we make the theater available to themexplains the head of the Francis-Gag theater and the Nice theater-performing arts center, Jennifer Moreau. Companies also have the possibility of organizing a performance where the revenue goes to them ^[2]. And then we make sure that they meet, they can help each other out afterwards.”

Favorite of “Figaro”

Tuesday at MonoprixThierry de Pina will also perform it for almost three weeks at the BA Théâtre during the 58^e edition of the Avignon Off festival. “It’s really the place where we can reach out to programmers and hope to do national toursexplains the actor. There will be performances of the play every day of the festival, except Thursday. For the company, it’s a big investment but we are leaving Nice territory and this allows us to gain visibility.”

The festival proved this gain in visibility during the previous edition, the fourth for Ah le zèbre!. With Tuesday at Monoprix, the young company from Nice received the trophy for best solo performer. The piece was also the favorite of certain press titles.

But because of the Olympics, this 58^e edition of the Avignon Off festival has been brought forward. It will take place from July 3 to 21. And Thierry de Pina hopes “that the programmers and the public will still be there despite the advance.” In total, 1,617 shows will be presented. Something to delight festival-goers.

1. Nine other Nice companies benefit from the Les Compagnies sur pont system: Les Collectionneurs, Cacho Fio!, Ziri Ziri, L’Albatros et L’Éléphant, Collectif 8, La société Humaine, Collectif Femmes en Scènes, La Compagnie Miranda and La Gorgomar company.

2. Ah the zebra! donated the proceeds to Family Planning 06.