Theater in Avignon, less the heat and the crush of July? This is the promise of the first edition of “Printemps du Off”, which will make you discover in preview from Saturday April 16, about twenty shows expected this summer at the Off festival.
The initiative, described as“militant act”is carried by fourteen permanent theaters of the City of the Popes, members of the Federation of independent theaters of Avignon (FTIA), which welcome in residence during the year shows then played during the festival.“At 90%, the shows scheduled in the Printemps du Off are shows that will be played this summer in our halls”says Harold David, co-president of the FTIA.
Through these previews, until May 14, it is a question of allowing the Avignonnais but also the professionals, press and distributors in particular, a privileged access to 25 shows which, in July, will find themselves drowned in the middle of some 1500 proposals included in the programming of the Festival off before 2020. “Very often, the Avignonnais themselves and those who live in the region leave during July, and we found it important that there is a time dedicated to people who live there all year round”underlines Mr. David.
The “off season” is also a better time to reach specific audiences, especially schoolchildren, who will be able to enjoy shows for young audiences, or people who are far from culture. “For us, the Federation of theatres, setting up this event is the means both to develop audiences and the professional visibility of the companies that we will be hosting during the festival”summarizes Mr. David.
“Far from the hustle and summer heat“, as the program promises, which recalls that “Spring in Vaucluse is mild and peaceful”spectators will be able to attend a reading by Judith Magre of texts by Marguerite Duras and Yann Andréa, a tribute to Simone Veil by the actress Fabienne Babe, or even a one-woman show by Clémence Baron.
In addition to classical and contemporary plays, musical theatre, young audiences, in English and Italian, as well as a writing workshop will be on display. “Eclecticism is inevitable since it is the DNA of Off to be in this diversity”the festival, which will be held this year from July 7 to 30, being “pooling the programming of more than 138 theatres”recalls Harold David, who has just been elected, with Laurent Domingos, co-president of the association which coordinates the Off (AF&C for “Avignon Festival and Companies”).