Texte : Morgan Couturier – While the majority of private theaters have seen their attendance drop by 40%, the Comédie Odéon theater continues to seduce the crowd, at the cost of an attractive program. Its director, Julien Poncet hopes to experience similar success in 2023, in order to celebrate the site’s 10th anniversary. And to survive despite the absence of public subsidies.
To the mythical issue raised by Shakespeare that Man must choose between being or not being, the Comédie Odéon theater made its choice many years ago. Better still, he chose to fully play his role. That of animating rue Grolée and Lyon as a whole, for 10 years now. As a result, while the Covid has come to bring a bit of dramaturgy to a good number of French cinemas, the establishment is ensuring a good attendance. Indeed, if it is not uncommon to see spectators decorating the sidewalk, the explanation lies in the success of the pieces performed.
For the director, Julien Poncet, the current success of his theater is almost “a surprise”.
“We have received nearly 25,000 people since September 15”, rejoices the director, Julien Poncet, himself “a little surprised by this attendance”. “We try to get rid of the boredom of the theater with, in particular, short shows. We want to go find people who are not used to theaters, ”he continues while such a private site lives only through admissions and word-of-mouth. “We wouldn’t spit on a little help, but we are a theater that depends on its spectators”, presents the master of the place, at the time of celebrating the 10th anniversary of this historic haunt of Lyon culture.
“We give the feeling of being a place that works and does not need help”
A symbolic age that the house intends to celebrate with an exhilarating programme. Starting with the successful plays, “Adieu Monsieur Haffman” (photo below) or the “False British”, both extended until the end of March. For the rest, the Comédie Odéon theater holds on its boards, a string of shows ready to charm young and old. By the quality of their content, or by attractive formulas.
“We launched Wednesdays at any price, where people can choose their price in €5 increments (the usual price is around €18-20, editor’s note), which allows us to be full every Wednesday” , says Julien Doucet. Therefore, avoiding pushing the door of the theater no longer contains any excuse. Make way for the shows and the choice of pieces. We then think of the clown solos of Perrine Roulandin “Bang Bang”, or at “life is a party”, from Jacques Chambonknown for his role as Merlin in Kaamelolt.
As for news lovers, Christophe Alévêque he will be happy to go over the news through his press reviews. Be the insurance for everyone to find their happiness. But for the Comédie Odéon theater as for Molière, these are only tirades. And “speeches do not advance things. Do, not say. Effects speak louder than words!
Comedy Odeon Theater
6 rue Grolée – Lyon 2e
Such. 04 78 82 86 30
