Théâtre du Voyageur, Retour en Gare

<p> <strong>In 2002, the preordained Théâtre du Voyageur arrives at Asnières train station.  Situated just five minutes from the Parisian hub of Saint-Lazare, conveniently served by two major train lines (J and L), the vast space that was once a passenger waiting room is soon occupied by a new kind of traveller, the kind who would waste no time in unpacking their cases and building a theatre.</strong></p> <p> <strong>Over ten years, this building has been brought back to life by its inhabitants and by all those who visit</strong><strong>…</strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> <em>5 clips portraying the life of the Voyageur</em></p> <p> <em>Narrated by an interview for France Culture in August 2012: </em></p> <p> <em>(La Dispute d</em><em>’</em><em>Arnaud Laporte – featuring the voices of Seham Boutata and Chantal Melior)</em></p> <p> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="405" src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FGafkzmG9M-8%3Fwmode%3Dopaque%26feature%3Doembed&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DGafkzmG9M-8&amp;image=http%3A%2F%2Fi1.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FGafkzmG9M-8%2Fhqdefault.jpg&amp;key=ff2702755d9749cda571c6d6c2f3eb46&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=youtube" width="540"></iframe></p> <p>  </p> <p> A theatre space is shaped over the years by an accumulation of bits and bobs and rarities. The former waiting room at Asnières train station was once deserted, but now plays host to any number of extra-ordinary landscapes and fantastic interiors. A mere glimpse inside is enough to pique the curiosity of the passing commuter. As creations multiply, so too do audience numbers. Children jump at the chance to practise theatre, dance and music on a weekly basis.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="405" src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2F_6t6DwNS8ws%3Fwmode%3Dopaque%26feature%3Doembed&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D_6t6DwNS8ws&amp;image=http%3A%2F%2Fi1.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2F_6t6DwNS8ws%2Fhqdefault.jpg&amp;key=ff2702755d9749cda571c6d6c2f3eb46&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=youtube" width="540"></iframe> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="405" src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FeCnrCwgHlLo%3Fwmode%3Dopaque%26feature%3Doembed&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DeCnrCwgHlLo&amp;image=http%3A%2F%2Fi1.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FeCnrCwgHlLo%2Fhqdefault.jpg&amp;key=ff2702755d9749cda571c6d6c2f3eb46&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=youtube" width="540"></iframe></p> <p>  </p> <p> Depsite being otherwise successful, the Voyageur’s existance remains precarious: the lease has always been short-term, in stark contrast to the audience’s lasting interest. At the end of 2011, the news hit the company with all the force of a Greek tragedy’s devastating final act: the building was to be reoccupied by the railway company (SNCF), the theatre was to be replaced by offices. There followed a painful time of final performances, final workshops. The future looked bleak… The company handed over their keys in September 2012.</p> <p>  </p> <p> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="405" src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2Fd7eR1L8mEB8%3Fwmode%3Dopaque%26feature%3Doembed&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dd7eR1L8mEB8&amp;image=http%3A%2F%2Fi1.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2Fd7eR1L8mEB8%2Fhqdefault.jpg&amp;key=ff2702755d9749cda571c6d6c2f3eb46&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=youtube" width="540"></iframe></p> <p>  </p> <p> <iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="405" src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FBe7-K_j7UD4%3Fwmode%3Dopaque%26feature%3Doembed&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DBe7-K_j7UD4&amp;image=http%3A%2F%2Fi1.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FBe7-K_j7UD4%2Fhqdefault.jpg&amp;key=ff2702755d9749cda571c6d6c2f3eb46&amp;type=text%2Fhtml&amp;schema=youtube" width="540"></iframe></p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>Since our eviction, the company has been working night and day to regain our space.  Town councillors, as well as regional representatives, have shown their support. We packed our things and stored them here and there, wherever we could.  One month after the keys were handed over, things started looking up.  The SNCF (the railway company) agreed to share the space. And so began the plans for reconstruction.</strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="Salle1" src="https://kkbb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/project_image/image/68255/salle1.jpg"></p> <p> <strong>    The space as seen from the dressing rooms (2012)</strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> <img alt="Salle2" src="https://kkbb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/project_image/image/68257/salle2.jpg"></p> <p> <strong>    The space (2013)</strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> In order to guarantee our return, we are obliged to meet certain prerequisites: investment for purchase of goods, and a solid architectural plan. Based on these principles, a contract between ourselves and the building’s landlord, Réseau ferré de France, is currently being drawn up. The architectural plans have been prepared by Jean Perrottet (who famously designed the Théâtre de la Ville and the Théâtre de la Colline) and Marianne Baste-Morand (heritage specialist and project manager). The total budget is 360,000euros: modest in comparison to what a similar-sized institution would require to build a theatre.</p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p> To date, three-quarters of this budget is secure, thanks to our partners: Conseil Régional d’Île-de-France, Conseil Général des Hauts-de-Seine, Ville d’Asnières, the State.</p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p> The remainder of the budget, which must be covered by the Théâtre du Voyageur, represents a real challenge for our company!   We are well on our way to reaching the goal, thanks to the efforts of friends and members of the company, and people within their networks.  We do, however, have a small way to go before our budget is met.</p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <strong>With your help, we can reach our goal. Your generosity is vital to the birth of a new theatre, and the rebirth of its company, in a building that was always intended for voyagers. We will once again be able open our doors to take our audiences on journeys of the imagination, to breathe new life into the theatre and the station.</strong><strong> </strong></p> <p>  </p> <p> We hope you will join us on our journey: a myriad of characters are bursting to be released from the trunks they have been packed into. Your contribution to this project will allow them to return home, where we look forward to embarking on new adventures together !</p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p>  </p> <p> <em><strong>With our thanks and our friendship.</strong></em></p> <p> <em><strong>The Théâtre du Voyageur team</strong></em></p> <p> <em>                                                    </em><img alt="Valentinorchestra" src="https://kkbb-production.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/project_image/image/65577/valentinorchestra.jpg"><em>       </em></p> <p>  </p>