At the Casino Barrière in Toulouse, bursts of laughter and uncertainties
The Barrière casino-theater season had started well. A momentum weakened, as in other theaters, by the rebound of the pandemic.
Artistic director of the Barrière casino-theater, Carole Chauvy remembers with regret the start of the 2019-2020 season, when she felt “a real recovery, a solid demand for outings”. Before the pandemic caused an abrupt end to shows. The scenario has some similarities to the one experienced at the moment. In September, all hopes were high when, scheduled for a long time, the comedians Bun Hay Mean, Alban Ivanov or Roman Frayssinet and the singers Gauvain Sers and Ben Mazué were sold out. The rest promises to be more complex with concerts postponed for lack of spectators (Louis Chedid, Camelia Jordana…) or because members of a tour tested positive for Covid (Aldebert, read opposite). “Before buying tickets, people ask again what will happen in such cases. Customer relations, which are very important for us, are becoming complicated again. It is necessary to explain, to telephone to warn in the event of change of date, to send emails. This takes lots of time. “In this context, the house dinner show,” Diabolic song in paradise “, offered every Friday evening, is doing well:” the dates are numerous, the changes easy; full adaptability ”.
Magdane or Mirabel?
Humor, if it remains a sure bet, does not escape the general uncertainty. Scheduled for the end of November and the beginning of December, the one-woman-shows of Laurie Perret and Bérengère Kreif are witnessing the best days while at the same time Jérémy Ferrari will be filling up again on December 8 when Roland Magdane will also have a nice venue on the 12th. December.
“Magdane is the generational counter-example. The most successful comedians today are radio columnists and those who are very active on social networks. This is how Paul Mirabel, 25, quickly posted when he will not be at the casino until March 24, 2022. And that 250 places were sold for Mustafa El Atrassi on the morning of the same sale ”.
Depending on possible new restrictions, the coming weeks will be crucial for the casino but also for the whole of the performing arts. “Giving a seat for a show at Christmas remains a very common gift, concludes Carole Chauvy. We are selling about 40% of our box office in December alone. Much of our programming to follow in 2022 depends on that. “
Aldebert forced to postpone due to Covid
Due to cases of Covid among the musicians and technicians of Aldebert’s team, the singer is obliged to postpone the concerts scheduled, between Friday and Sunday, in Vaugneray, Bourg-en-Bresse and Toulouse. The artist, who will resume his tour next week, says “sorry” but reassures everyone because the dates could be postponed. For Toulouse, his “Enfantillages 4”, which had been sold out for a long time, will be offered at the casino on June 12, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m., instead of November 28. Tel. 05 62 73 44 70 (www.bleucitron.net).