Geneva: The Fête du Théâtre enjoys a growth peak

It has returned every October since 2013, with the regularity of premium increases, except that it, at least, does not harm your wallet. The traditional Theater Festivalit’s that moment shortly after the season openings when the performance halls tear down their partitions, where the asphalt becomes a game board and where the performing arts are shared without discrimination. For his 12th^e edition, the event still combines free access with a very pubescent growth spurt: instead of a weekend, it extends over an entire week.

In one year, everything about her has gained momentum. From 77 activities proposed in 2023, we go to 80, of which 72 do not cost a penny. No less than 3,428 invitations were issued last fall, reaching for this edition the number of 4,112. To honor them, a electronic registration or by telephone (022 908 20 31) is however necessary, so that there is no jostling at the gate. We also note that the catalog of celebrations, by being renewed, has been accompanied by a small handful of welcome new products.

Appetizers

Two changes explain the extended duration of this 2024 version. First, the usual Court to Germaine leaves both the peloton and rue Lissignol to settle in advance, already this Saturday October 6, on Square Stella in the heart of Sécheron. It is in this open-air environment that, from 11 a.m. until nightfall, street shows, circus acts, clowns, puppets and musical performances will splash the public. In the process, from Monday 7 to Wednesday 9, the director of the event, Imanol Atorrasagasti, took advantage of the extensions to insert three Professional days reserved for practitioners of performing arts professions, during which courses, meetings, conferences and a tribute to the teacher Serge Martin will take place.

The bulk of the carte to consume without moderation, which we will abbreviate under the acronym FdT (for Théâtre Fête), will focus on the end of next week. To the customary performances of around ten shows on display at Geneva theaters (“Actapalabra” at Am Stram Gram, “Lesarbres en nous” at La Parfumerie, “Jeff Koons” at Le Poche for example), as well as the numerous workshops offered (writing, storytelling, puppets, tap dancing, special seniors, etc.) are structured around five suggestions thematic routesand the possibility of composing your own theater marathon of seven titles in a row in order to slalom between styles.

Another recurring specialty of the FdT: its section Backstagewhich allows us to raise the curtain on the hidden side of the planet scene. We attend rehearsals there, including at the Grand Théâtre, we visit sets (or the secret corners of the Théâtre des Marionnettes or the Théâtre Am Stram Gram), we build bridges between stage and cinema (with Elena Hazanov at the Crève- Coeur), we brunch there at Galpon with a Colombian troupe, or we still scrutinize the production of Revue 2024.

Outside the walls

But let’s come to the tantalizing chapter Off-stagealways generous with surprises due to the fact that it is experienced outside the walls: namely in the trams (“The street petitions”), in a classroom at the Workers’ University of Geneva (UOG) («The Game of Nibelungen»), in an exhibition room of the MEG (“What are the traces of slavery?”) or in the Bains des Pâquis yurt (“Band(e) apart”). A fun experiment will also be conducted with «Splatsch!»on Saturday 12 on the Place de la Madeleine, when the Les Lents company will practice, in the open public space, the burlesque but no less perilous exercise of tartage.

Two cherries on the cake, to close this brief overview. In order to test what’s in the stomachs of the new theater management teams taking over this season, the Fête du Théâtre has launched a gastronomic challenge for four of them. This is how the future Wolf team will unveil his bread oven project in situ, Eric Devanthéry will give a culinary talk at the Grütli, the tenants of the Orangerie will teach the festive art of pizzaand the future mistress of the Pocket will share in music the recipes of his native Jura as Saint-Martin approaches. But the mystery event of the program, Thursday October 10 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the MAH, promises above all to distil its nectar of theatrical madness within the city. Between draMAHqueen and draMAHturgique, the afterwork tease “Oh the drama” leaves no doubt about the effectiveness of the cocktail.

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Katia Berger has been a journalist in the cultural section since 2012. She covers news in the performing arts, particularly through theater or dance reviews, but also sometimes deals with photography, visual arts or literature.More info

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