An Avignon Festival like no other. The 78th edition kicks off this Saturday, in full swing early legislative elections and just before the Olympic Games which forced the organizers to bring the Festival forward by a week. The Off is not due to officially open until July 3, but many theaters have chosen to align with the dates of the InA quarter of the shows will therefore be presented four days in advance, or 400 pieces out of 1,666 in total.
“Why deprive yourself of four performances?”
A choice that was obvious for certain theaters given the context, those which have a program all year round like the Théâtre du Balcon or that of the Halles for example.It seems obvious to me that we all start at the same time for what I call “the” Festival”confirms Alain Timár, co-director of the Théâtre des Halles.
This is also obvious for some companies. “The more I play it, the more I talk about it, the more I can make it known before July 3, says Manon Balthazard, actress, she plays in “Cassandra” at the Pixel theater. Why deprive yourself of four performances? It’s also an economic question, it costs between 10,000 and 14,000 euros to perform in Avignon.” Already on deck, in full leaflet distribution, she cannot deprive herself of four performances. Especially since the rental of the theater, whether she performs from July 29 or 3, would cost the same.
A challenge a week before the school holidays
For the small Optimist theater, rue Guillaume Puy, 49 seats, the choice was not so obvious.We hesitated for a long time, confides Grégoire Robert, the co-director. Following the change of dates, we wanted to respect those of the Off, but by giving the companies the possibility to express their choice. Several wanted to start on the 29th, so we followed the advice of our companies rather than ours in the end.”
The bet now: fill the rooms while there is still time one week before school holidaysThey officially begin on July 6.
