Exit in Haute-Savoie. Coup de theater festival in Annecy: the program revealed
On the side of the Agitateurs de rêves association, we are busy preparing for the 11e Coup de théâtre festival to be held from September 10 to 18. In particular, he will have to recruit volunteers, 160 of whom will be needed to ensure the stewardship of the event (reception, logistics, canteen, transport, etc.), and find volunteers from Annecy to accommodate the actors.
The picnic in white, at the end of June, is each year the occasion to mobilize the troops and to make known the association to a large public. It is normally held in the Jardins de l’Europe, but this year was moved to the premises on the Place du Château, due to the threat of a storm.
The spotlight on young talents
After a big anniversary edition in 2021, the 11e will return to a more traditional format, with seven professional companies on the bill, to which will be added six troupes of young talents. The latter are more and more numerous to invite themselves into the programming.
Exit the amateur high school students of the first years: the Coup de théâtre now targets budding companies or apprentice actors (or dancers) who follow a professional course. Their recruitment is ensured by Jessica Sanna, while the professional program is still evolving with the “historic” Agitatrices who are Anne Habermeyer and Maud de Cointet, the two artistic directors of the festival, who do their shopping each year at the Off d’Avignon (in particular ) .
When it was created, the Coup de théâtre set itself the task of highlighting the great texts of the repertoire. “It is always the case”, underlines Camille Lazime, director of Agitateurs de rêves since 2020 (the president of the association is Olivier Mettais-Cartier).
“The Shrew Approved ” and “Viper in the Fist” headlining
In 2022, the Annecy public will discover The Approved Shrew by William Shakespeare, in a version co-produced by the Artistic Théâtre and Les Athévains. A success of the Off d’Avignon 2021. We can see on stage the actress Sarah Biasini, the daughter of Romy Schneider.
Another great classic in the spotlight: Fist Viper. A theatrical adaptation of the famous novel by Hervé Bazin, by the Cie du Taxaudier, created in 2018 at the Parisian theater of Ranelagh and contained by critics.
To open their festival to the widest possible audience, several sessions will be reserved for schools, nursing homes and IME Henri-Wallon. Finally, in terms of venues, in addition to the classics such as the courtyard of the Musée-Château, the Pierre-Lamy room and the Quai de la Cathédrale, the Coup de théâtre will take over new sites this year, including the Friche des rails in the Loverchy district, the courtyard of the Vaugelas school, the Raisses park in Annecy-le-Vieux (for a private screening) and the Vallombreuse in Menthon-Saint-Bernard, residence of the fireworks designer Jean-Éric Ougier who will host performances of Viper in fist.
Decline in patronage
Times are tough for the association.
If there is one principle that Les Agitateurs de rêves have held to since their inception, it is that the Coup de théâtre shows are free, even if spectators are invited to participate in the hat to the extent of their possibilities. “Strictly speaking, rather than charging, we would prefer to reduce their number,” slips Camille Lazime.
However, times are hard for the Annecy association which, like many structures, is suffering the repercussions of the economic crisis and has had to part with one of its three employees.
Private sponsorship, which represents a good part of its financial means, has been reduced. “Our 18 patrons are still following us, but many have lowered their budget, while on our side we have more and more ambitions,” notes the director.
“We would need double the means”
A contradictory situation confirmed by Jocelyne Girot, the association’s volunteer treasurer. “It’s not just the Coup de théâtre. To be able to ensure everything we want to do, we would need double the resources, or around 600,000 euros. This offers us to breathe, to recruit and to perpetuate our project, ”she believes.
The association, which is hosted by the town hall of Annecy, receives public subsidies (City, Department, Region, Drac), which represents “about 50%” of its budget. “But we are less helped for the young part [NDLR : les actions de médiation auprès des ados des quartiers d’Annecy]in proportion to what we do”, observes Jessica Sanna, who is in charge of cultural actions.
Another handicap, “as we do not have a qualified space for the public, we are not judged as a cultural place and we cannot respond to calls for tenders for specific projects or residences”.
In short, the Agitators of Dreams are today confronted with the question of their future. “On a course to pass. It’s not easy, ”admits Camille Lazime.
While its operating model is still based on voluntary work, the association has decided to call on a communication agency to improve its notoriety, particularly with local businesses that are potential patrons. “We hope to be more visible and that it will have a snowball effect. »
Program
➤ Saturday September 10. The time of an account cie Voltaïk and 15 amateur artists: restitution of the work carried out in August with the young participants in the cultural mediation workshops of Agitateurs de rêves (4 p.m., place des Cordeliers). You me we Cie L’Arkimute (young talent) (6 p.m., Jardins de l’Europe). The Approved Shrew Artistic Theater & Les Athévains company (8 p.m., courtyard of the Museum-Château).
➤ Sunday 11 September. Dance time at the Coup de théâtre with the companies Nü, La Cellule and Synecdoque (2 p.m., Friche des rails). The Approved Shrew Artistic Theater & Les Athévains company (8 p.m., courtyard of the castle).
➤ Monday, September 12. superbasstringue cie Au bord de (young talent), theatre, dance and clowns (2:30 p.m., Pierre-Lamy room).
➤ Tuesday, September 13. superbasstringue cie Au bord de (6 p.m., Quai de la Cathédrale). I have too many friends cie du Kaïros: show that won the Molière 2022 for young audiences (8 p.m., Salle Pierre-Lamy).
➤ Wednesday, September 14. Like brother like sister cie TFTS (6 p.m., courtyard of the Vaugelas school).
➤ Thursday, September 15. Viper in fist Cie du Taxaudier (8 p.m., La Vallombreuse in Menthon-Saint-Bernard).
➤ Friday, September 16. Pig Boy 1986-2358 cie L’Excessive: the continuation of a triptych whose 1re part had been played during the 2021 edition (6 p.m., the Friche des rails). Vero, 1 re Queen of England i.e. 26,000 covers (8 p.m., Vignières-Pommaries park).
➤ Saturday 17 September. The Coup de théâtre takes part in the Seynod fait son cirque event, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Cep district, with entertainment and at 5 p.m. the show Funny print of the company Dédale de Clowns. Other appointments: Antigone Cie Microbiotte (young talent) (2 p.m., Quai de la Cathédrale). Vero, 1 re Queen of England i.e. 26,000 covers (8 p.m., Vignière-Pommaries park).
➤ Sunday, September 18. Funny print , cie Dédale de clowns (4 p.m., La Veyrière room in Veyrier-du-Lac). Closing party at 7 p.m. at the Friche des rails.
Detailed program to come. Fillings provided in the hall if it rains, except for shows You me we of September 10. Concert after each performance.