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On the occasion of the amateur theater festival Le Printemps des Sassafras which will be held from March 29 to 31 at the Cuzin center in Auch, my colleague Melody and I went to meet the Sassafras company during their visit to Pavie for the “Intra Muros” show on February 24. Shall we take you with us?
Meeting with the members of the Les Sassafras company
It was around 15 p.m. that we arrived at the Pavie multipurpose room where the company of Sassafras is busy preparing the show that they will present that same evening. Warmly welcomed by all members, we begin with introductions. We then get to know Didier, José, Nathalie, Catherine, Pascaline, Marie, Willy and Sasha. As the afternoon progressed, each of them took the time to explain to us their role within the company.
A little bit of history : The Sassafras company is an association under the 1901 law whose goal is theatrical practice.
The name Compagnie des Sassafras owes its origin to the fact that in 2018, the company played: “Du vent dans les branches de sassafras” by René de Obaldia.
At that time, there was an improvisational theater section and a theater section. It was in 2020 that the association abandoned improvisations to devote itself solely to Theater.
The company's operating mode follows 2-year cycles. One year of preparing a play and one year of touring performance.
In the wings …
We then discover all the work that the company does before going on stage and which we don't necessarily realize when we attend a show.
There's the preparation of the room : we install the different projectors, we make the adjustments of the different sounds and music, lights ; a job that brings together managers and actors since you have to adapt to each location each time. We also prepare the scene: we install the decor on stage but also on the courtyard and garden side.
Curious as I am, during our discussions, I ask them if they have a ritual before going on stage; curiosity put to the test since we will have to wait a little longer to discover this famous ritual (and I can already tell you: it was one of our favorite moments!)
Once sound, lights and decor are in place, the actors do what they call a “German rehearsal » which consists of making all the entrances and exits from all the scenes in order to properly appropriate the space and test the settings made. Then, we move on to dressing and even makeup for some of them!
Before letting the public in, the moment arrives that we have been waiting for: the ritual before going on stage and surprise, we are invited to join them! The 6 members of the company therefore form a circle in the center of the room and begin to warm up their bodies. We stretch, we concentrate... like a feeling of being in a bubble cut off from the world. A moment that came to increase this feeling of big family.
Time for the show!
Once the audience is seated, all the preparation we have witnessed makes sense (I imagine, a feeling shared by comedies as well). We follow our 6 actors who play 29 characters within the four walls of a prison. Present and past then merge to reveal to us a heartbreaking story.
4rd time the play is performed by the company and what a success! A full house, a lively audience and a moving play. The actors manage to take us fully into their world and make us feel a whole range of emotions.
Thunderous applause is heard in the room once the performance is over. But the evening is far from over, since the public is invited to a small aperitif. A friendly moment which offers the opportunity to meet and interact with the Sassafras company.
The Spring of Sassafras: amateur theater in the spotlight
Conviviality, Quality, Accessibility.
Here are the key words used by the entire company to describe this festival, and their shows more generally. The organization of this event stems from a desire to continue to promote amateur theater in Auch and to give amateur theater a place in the local cultural landscape.
To do this, for three days, 6 amateur theater troupes from Gers and neighboring departments will be welcomed. You will then be able to attend five contemporary pieces and one classic:
- Friday 29: Time does not exist at 20:30 p.m.
- Saturday 30: Full throttle at 15 p.m., Those who go on an adventure at 17:15 p.m. and The imaginary patient at 20:30 p.m.
- Sunday 31: 2 pretense madnesses at 14:30 p.m. and Intra Muros at 17 p.m.
The best part of this festival? Being able to meet the actors and directors, a golden opportunity to discuss experiences!
How to get your tickets?
Reserve your places easily:
- withTourist Office by telephone on 05 62 05 22 89 or directly at the office;
- on the site Helloasso.
