Saturday 12 April 2014

All about Le Colombier at Les Cabannes, near Cordes sur Ciel

History
Le Colombier theatre in Les Cabannes is now owned by the Communauté de Communes of Cordes-Vaour, overseen by a committee of elected members of local Mairies in the Communaute, under the Presidency of Paul Quiles, Maire of Cordes.

An association based in Cordes, Gestion du Colombier, manages the theatre on a day-to-day basis, under the Presidency of Jacques Roquefere. It put together an initial programme for 2013-14, which was tentative and left much room for growth. This year, 2014-15 the Gestion is keen to involve the English-speaking communitymore, and has approached Donald Douglas, via Lucie Macguire, to do something to helpOur association was formed as a direct result of the request from Jacques Roquefere

The Theatre
Le Colombier is a technically well-appointed theatre, converted from a tannery by Pierre Nicole, a Swiss former resident of Cordes. The theatre has a raked auditorium seating 126, a bar and café, a terraced garden and living accommodation for performers, as well as a large car park. We are fortunate to have such an amenity here in the Tarn, and English-speaking residents will no doubt find this venue attractive as a centre for cultural events, plays or recitals.

The Association
Friends of English Theatre at Le Colombier
Les Amis du theatre Anglais au Colombier

Aim
Our aim is to produce 3-4 high quality shows each year, in the English language, from May to around the end of November, acknowledging that our primary membership and audience will come from the English ex-pat community living in this region, together with those living here on a part-time basis each year. We are, however, very keen to encourage participation by anyone who has an interest in hearing some great theatre shows in the English language, be they English, French or any other nationality. Indeed, for example, talks are already at an advanced stage with local teachers about producing some matinee performances for their students of English this autumn, allowing them the opportunity to study the work in the weeks prior to the show being staged.

It must be reiterated that we are keen for anyone to become a member of the association, not just to come along to the shows, important though that is. It is the commitment and enthusiasm of our members who give the committee the mandate to invite world-class performers to the stage at Le Colombier.

Due to the high cost of staging these quality shows, we will be limited in the number of performers we could pay to be here for any given show. At the moment, we are concentrating on producing one-man shows by world-renowned actors. This is in contrast to other shows put on at the theatre by other groups, who generally promote lesser known or local actors or artists at a much reduced cost, but with a much more limited appeal, and in consequence, it has to be said, with much less financial or numerical success to date.

We are hoping for high demand for tickets for our shows. Where demand exceeds the number of seats for one show (126) we will look into the possibility of running the show for a second consecutive night, or more. Matinees are also a possibility.

Suggestions have been made to the committee to hold other social events at the theatre but our initial focus will be on producing theatre shows in English. Other entertainments will remain the provenance of the Gestion du Colombier.

Summary
This Association has been set up at the invitation of the theatre management committee to provide some shows in the English language.

This will
Lead to more shows being performed at the theatre each year, thereby increasing its usage
Lead to a wider audience base, both English and French
Lead to greater awareness of, and participation in, the theatre
Lead to a greater appreciation of English theatre
Increase the funds coming into the theatre each year
Enhance the sense of community spirit and goodwill between French and English