Petit Bulletin SAINT-ETIENNE - Info Saint-Etienne: Location - At La Talaudière, the cultural center Le Sou bets on next year - article published by Cerise Rochet

End of April, at La Talaudière, one rainy evening. Desperately alone in his office, Gaël Gaborit, head of the Le Sou cultural center, languishes… And it is not President Macron's announcements, a few hours earlier, that seem to console him. Yes, the reopening of performance halls seems to be taking shape. But too many unknowns still remain to be clarified. What about gauges, and territorialization? Will the Loire really be able to welcome the public soon, given its health situation?

“No, I'm not reassured, especially since we've been used to last-minute reversals, so nothing's been done yet! he breathes wearily. Despite everything, a lot of things have already been decided concerning the programming of Le Sou for the next few months. The last show of the season, which was to be held at the end of May, was finally canceled. The room will host a date of the 7 Collines festival, on Sunday July 4 at 6 p.m. “In fact, the reopening will mainly concern the cinema, perhaps on Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday, as well as during school holidays. We will depend on the films that will be available or not. We know that 430 arthouse films are about to be released, but this is not necessarily our niche. Distributors of mainstream films have largely decided to delay their release, so for now it's hard to get exposure"

The problem of postponements

For the rest, the Sou and its manager have preferred to bet on next season, which gives hope for more certainty But not more simplicity. “The problem that arises for next year's programming is that of postponements, even for certain shows, postponements of postponements. 23 in total. Our next season will therefore be much more extensive than usual. It is a choice that we assume, and that we had to make to support the companies and artists from the Loire. But we shouldn't do too much either, at the risk that some shows won't meet their audience Especially since all the theaters will find themselves in the same situation as us, and the Loire offer will necessarily be very important " , continues Gaël.

Petit Bulletin SAINT-ETIENNE - Info Saint -Etienne: Place - At La Talaudière, the cultural center Le Sou bets on next year - article published by Cerise Rochet

Thus the subscription will count next year 11 shows instead of 10, the 11th, as a "bonus", corresponding to the latest creation of the company Lalala Chamade, welcomed in residence this year: "it was important that the show worked within our walls could be presented there to the public". Eight shows for young audiences will also be offered, for five in normal times. “But for all that, it was necessary to build a season without red thread, without consistency between the shows. This period was rather difficult. Telecommuting does not replace life. Today, we can't wait to find the people, the human. To get out of this frustration that has been going on for months.