A new era has begun at 4 de la rue with the arrival of the school year. The collective of artists has formed a new team with the addition of two companies that have joined Martine Fontanille and her company Haute Tension. Camille Geoffroy from the Royan company La Vie est ailleurs and Alice Ceriani-Maréchal from the La Rochelle company L’Impératrice have now established their base at La Fabrique du Vélodrome, a former mechanical workshop, for an indefinite period as resident companies.
The collective, which hosts professional artists in residency (1), now boasts an even greater level of multidisciplinary collaboration. Alice Ceriani-Maréchal is known as a choreographer, dancer, and actress, while Camille Geoffroy is a director, actress, and dancer… and more, presenting “a theatre of bodies and words.”
“We are a collective of diverse generations. We are open to men, but there is still a lack of women in society and in the theater world,” smiles Martine Fontanille. This ensures that the collective can continually reinvent itself. “The collective is evolving. This place has a soul, a cocoon that thrives independently. It is essential that the creators are the ones managing the space,” emphasizes Martine Fontanille.
Complementary
Each of the professionals brings complementary experiences. “We are versatile; we are not just performers. It is uncommon to find spaces like this managed by artists. In return, we can rehearse without leaving the site,” highlights Camille Geoffroy.
The last piece of La Vie est ailleurs, “Au cœur de Zola”, is inspired by the life of the writer
Lucie Gagneux
The artist from Royan is currently developing her latest creation “Au cœur de Zola.” Inspired by the writer’s life, she has envisioned a theatrical dialogue between Alexandrine Meley, the wife, and Jeanne Rozerot, the mistress. The two women exchanged over 90 letters following the death of Émile Zola.
It all started with a commission from the City of Royan, which requested her to read the writer’s texts for a photo exhibition at the Royan Museum, titled “Zola and Photography.” During her research, Camille Geoffroy uncovered Zola’s double life spanning fourteen years… and the existence of his two children! She then conceived a play that she will perform with Catherine Rouzeau from October 2 to 6 at La Fabrique du Vélodrome and on November 20 at the Espace Bernard-Giraudeau in Mireuil.
Tragedy
For her part, Martine Fontanille is working on her upcoming show, “Penthésilée,” by Heinrich Von Kleist, which she will present from November 13 to 23 and from April 7 to 12 at La Fabrique du Vélodrome. This is a project she has envisioned for forty years and has been developing since July 2023.
Five women will perform on stage, engaging in dance and song… The tale of Penthesilea, Queen of the Amazons, and Achilles, a Greek hero, who fall in love amidst the Trojan War, defying societal norms… This tragedy explores themes of humanity, love, sexism, sexual violence, gender equality, power, desire, prohibition, and the transgression of laws…
Martine Fontanille is involving the residents of La Rochelle by offering workshops related to the play at Horizon Habitat Jeunes in Mireuil, at the Port Neuf social center, and more.
Martine Fontanille is working on her next show, “Penthésilée” by Heinrich Von Kleist.
Fanny Baudron-Martin
A piece featuring Alice Ceriani-Maréchal, who is also creating a first dance/theater solo exploring themes of motherhood and absence.
“In the Heart of Zola”: Wednesday, October 2 at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, October 3 and Friday, October 4 at 8:30 p.m., Saturday, October 5 at 6 p.m., Sunday, October 6 at 5 p.m., Wednesday, November 20 at 7 p.m. Reservations can be made at 06 77 40 30 18.
“Penthesilea”: from November 13 to 23, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 8:30 p.m., and Saturdays at 6 p.m. Reservations can be made at 06 43 48 97 04.
(1) The venue is always open to outside artists. For more information, call 05 46 45 95 34.
A wind of change has blown through 4 de la rue with the start of the school year. The collective of artists has formed a new team with the addition of two companies who have joined Martine Fontanille and her company Haute Tension. Camille Geoffroy from the Royan company La Vie est ailleurs and Alice Ceriani-Maréchal from the La Rochelle company L’Impératrice have now settled in La Fabrique du Vélodrome, a former general mechanics workshop, for an indefinite period as companies in permanent residence.
The collective, which welcomes professional artists in residence, now displays even more multidisciplinarity. Alice Ceriani-Maréchal is a choreographer, dancer, and actress, while Camille Geoffroy is a director, actress, and dancer. Together they offer “a theatre of bodies and words,” showcasing the diverse talents housed within this artistic hub.
“We form a collective of different generations. We are not closed to men but we already do not have enough women in society and in the world of theater…” smiles Martine Fontanille. The collective can thus constantly reinvent itself, embodying a spirit of collaboration and innovation. “The collective is moving. This place has a soul, a cocoon that lives autonomously. It is important that creators are the ones who manage the place,” insists Fontanille.
Complementary Talents and Versatility
Each member of this vibrant collective complements one another. “We are versatile; we are not just performers. It is rare to find places like this, run by artists. In return, we can rehearse without having to leave the site,” emphasizes Camille Geoffroy. This encourages a seamless integration of their artistic processes, leading to a production environment filled with creativity.
The last piece of La Vie est ailleurs, “Au cœur de Zola”, is inspired by the life of the writer
Lucie Gagneux
The Royannaise is currently working on her latest creation “Au cœur de Zola”. Inspired by the life of the writer, she imagines a theatrical dialogue between Alexandrine Meley, the wife, and Jeanne Rozerot, the mistress. The two women exchanged more than 90 letters after the death of Émile Zola, creating a rich narrative tapestry.
It all started with a commission from the City of Royan, which asked her to read the writer’s texts as part of a photo exhibition at the Royan Museum, “Zola and Photography”. During her research, Camille Geoffroy discovered the writer’s double life for fourteen years… and the existence of his two children! This sparked an idea for a play that she would perform with Catherine Rouzeau from October 2 to 6 at La Fabrique du Vélodrome and on November 20 at the Espace Bernard-Giraudeau in Mireuil. The show promises to be a stimulating exploration of love, infidelity, and the complexity of human relationships.
Upcoming Productions: “Penthesilea” and More
Martine Fontanille is also busy with her upcoming production, “Penthésilée,” by Heinrich Von Kleist, which she will present from November 13 to 23 and again from April 7 to 12 at La Fabrique du Vélodrome. This is a project that she has envisioned for forty years, which showcases her commitment to the arts.
This powerful production will feature five women on stage, dancing, and singing the story of Penthesilea, Queen of the Amazons, and Achilles, a Greek hero. Their love story unfolds during the Trojan War, challenging the established norms of their time. The themes explored in this tragedy include humanity, love, gender equality, power, desire, and the transgression of societal laws, making it relevant to contemporary discussions.
As a community-engaged practice, Martine Fontanille is involving the people of La Rochelle by offering workshops related to the play at Horizon Habitat Jeunes in Mireuil and the Port Neuf social center, thereby fostering an inclusive atmosphere.
Martine Fontanille is working on her next show, “Penthésilée” by Heinrich Von Kleist.
Fanny Baudron-Martin
A piece starring Alice Ceriani-Maréchal is also in the works, revolving around her first dance/theater solo that addresses themes of motherhood and absence, an exploration of emotional and psychological landscapes.
Event Schedule
| Event | Date | Time | Reservations |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the Heart of Zola | October 2 – 6 | Various times | Call: 06 77 40 30 18 |
| Penthesilea | November 13 – 23; April 7 – 12 | Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays: 8:30 PM; Saturdays: 6 PM | Call: 06 43 48 97 04 |
The venue is always open to external artists wishing to collaborate or perform. For more information, please contact 05 46 45 95 34.
