“Our summer festival is like a grand History unfolding within our territory. Our daring approach? We offer shows for a young audience starting from 11 a.m., reading and improvisation workshops, and professional shows scheduled at 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Our goal is to provide entertainment, joy, and maybe spark some discussions among the audience,” says Patricia Lethiais, the president of Scènes en vie.
24 years ago, a “enthusiastic” individual in the field of culture managed to gather a small group of volunteers who were captivated by his enthusiasm, and thus a festival was born in Samatan, marking theater’s presence within the Savès region. This initiative pays homage to the momentum started by Guy Bordes (1933-2014): “We want to honor his memory.”
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Summer Theatres
The festival village will be set up at the heart of Samatan around the cultural space named following it. The main area is dedicated to non-professional theater companies, just as it was at the beginning of this adventure.
The lineup for the 2024 edition
The 25th edition will kick off symbolically on Wednesday, July 17 at 6 p.m. for the festival’s opening, followed by a free concert at 7 p.m. by the Wonderbras Quartet, an all-female brass band with influences of jazz, funk, and Latin music. At 9:30 p.m. in the Brialy room, Théâtre Éphémère will present “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde.
On Thursday, July 18 at 11 a.m. at the Halle au gras, “Doux voyage,” a musical fairy tale of rural and magical beauty combining dance and puppets, suitable for children from 3 years old (Price: €4); at 6 p.m. “Deux folies en faux-semblants,” a thought-provoking comedy; and at 9:30 p.m. in the Brialy hall, L’Épingle (Scènes en vie) will showcase “Bastringue ou les histoires d’A”.
On Friday, July 19 at 11 a.m., the Samatan theater workshop, Les Didascalies, will perform “Bric à brac,” inspired by Boris Vian. At 4 p.m., there will be a free reading session. At 6 p.m., the audience can enjoy “La grande abonnement” at the festival village, a hilarious comedy exploring unspoken issues, burlesque elements, and collective exhaustion; finally, at 9:30 p.m., “Le bourgeois gentilhomme,” a contemporary adaptation of Molière’s classic.
On Saturday, July 20, to conclude the festival in style, “Jours,” a humorous and optimistic play, will be presented at 11 a.m. The rest of the schedule includes: at 4 p.m. “Ukulélé” (free); at 6 p.m. “Les Ritals,” a play inspired by Cavanna; at 8:30 p.m. “Scrampalati” by Cie Circ’Hulon, a circus tragicomedy with an Italian flair; at 10 p.m., a cabaret concert “Projet Newton,” free of charge.
General admission is €12 and €6 for certain conditions. Contact: 07 85 95 93 47 or
Wednesday, July 17, marks the commencement of the 25th edition of the Théâtre d’été presented by the Scènes en vie association. This four-day event will feature around fifteen captivating shows, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with cultural richness and theatrical talent.
“The great History, on the scale of our territory, is our summer festival. Our audacity lies in offering a diverse range of shows catering to a “young audience” starting from 11 a.m., along with engaging reading and improvisation workshops. Additionally, we will be showcasing professional performances at 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Our main goal is to provide entertainment that sparks joy, encourages dialogue, and fosters a sense of community,” mentions Patricia Lethiais, the president of Scènes en vie.
Over two decades ago, a passionate advocate for culture inspired a small group of dedicated volunteers, leading to the birth of a festival in Samatan that firmly established theater in the Savès territory. The legacy of Guy Bordes (1933-2014), who initiated this dynamic, continues to inspire and guide the organization: “We want to pay tribute to him.”
The festival village will come alive at the heart of Samatan, centered around the cultural space that proudly bears its name. This space remains dedicated to hosting non-professional theater companies, honoring the tradition that marked the inception of this beloved event.
The program for the 2024 edition
The 25th edition of the festival will kick off on Wednesday, July 17 at 6 p.m. with the opening ceremony, followed by a free concert at 7 p.m. by the Wonderbras Quartet, a talented female brass band encompassing jazz, funk, and Latin influences. The evening will culminate with a performance of “The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde at 9:30 p.m. in the Brialy room.
Thursday, July 18 will feature the enchanting musical tale “Doux voyage” at 11 a.m. in the Halle au gras, designed for children aged 3 and above (admission fee: €4). In the evening, audiences can enjoy “Deux folies en faux-semblants” at 6 p.m., a thought-provoking comedy, followed by “Bastringue ou les histoires d’A” presented by L’Épingle (Scènes en vie) at 9:30 p.m. in the Brialy hall.
Friday, July 19 will see a performance of “Bric à brac”, inspired by Boris Vian, by Les Didascalies, the Samatan theatre workshop, at 11 a.m. A reading session will follow at 4 p.m., offering free entry to all attendees. At 6 p.m., the audience can delve into “La grande abonnement”, a hilarious comedy exploring unspoken truths and collective burnout, while at 9:30 p.m., a contemporary rendition of Molière’s classic “Le bourgeois gentilhomme” will take center stage.
Saturday, July 20 will conclude the festival with the delightful play “Jours” at 11 a.m., offering humor and hope to the audience. Throughout the day, various performances such as “Ukulélé”, “Les Ritals” inspired by Cavanna, and “Scrampalati” by the Cie Circ’Hulon, will captivate viewers with their unique blend of circus arts, comedy, and music. The day will culminate with a cabaret concert “Projet Newton” at 10 p.m., providing a fitting finale to the event.
General admission rates are set at €12, with discounted tickets available under certain conditions. For more information and ticket bookings, please contact 07 85 95 93 47 or visit the official festival website.