The Théâtre Transversal, a plural place in the heart of Avignon
The dark takes place in a small room on the narrow rue d’Amphoux, in the heart of the City of the Popes. Headphones on, here we are embarked on a textual, visual and sound odyssey in the world of Norwegian artist Jon Fosse. Here at night, directed and performed by Frédéric Garbe, is one of the 14 shows offered during the festival by the Théâtre Transversal. This place, which has two rooms with 40 and 47 seats, is far from being ephemeral. It is one of the stages open all year round, among the dozen or so in Avignon.
“I’m not interested in related proposals”
At its head, the enthusiastic and passionate Laetitia Mazzoleni. Arriving in October 2017, she immediately changed the name of the theater – which had been called the Ateliers d’Amphoux since its creation in 1998 – and opted for the name “Transversal”. With the will clearly displayed by this theater not to be confined to a style nor locked in a frame.
This plural woman – she is also an actress, director and director of the company L’Agence de fabrication perpetuelle – promised herself to take cross roads by approaching all genres, with quality and high standards in her sights. . “I’m not interested in related proposals”, she says, smiling knowingly.
Eclectic and audacious, its programming highlights contemporary writings that question people and society. There are shows for children like Byba Youv, the witch who dreamed of being a goat, from the Avignon company Deraïdenz and its fantastic puppets. Readings are also offered, like those that Laetitia Mazzoleni centers, every year in September, on Belgian authors, and the only ones on stage with this year Jean-Philippe Renaud, who signs a poignant tribute to Bernard Giraudeau.
The theater also unfolds outside the walls with an original experience: in Dare C Laviedancers take over an apartment a stone’s throw from the theatre, while the spectators roam freely in the different rooms.
“Introduce theater to those who think that this art is not for them”
Laetitia Mazzoleni wanted this semi-private theater, subsidized by the city, the department and the region, to be a place anchored in a territory. On the one hand by giving pride of place to “local” artists, many of whom come from the region.
On the other hand, by investing in the training of schoolchildren or people from underprivileged social backgrounds, a mission that it considers essential. “I want to introduce theater to young people and adults who think that this art is not for them”, emphasizes the one who invests all year round in many establishments, in primary, middle and high school, by creating shows presented at the Transversal.
After five busy years at the helm of her ship, Laetitia Mazzoleni can boast of having won her bet: to create an identity as strong as other prestigious places in Avignon.