For its 5th edition, this unique event invites you to discover today’s theatre and dive into the rich, diverse imaginations of authors, with a packed programme: distinctive performances, original formats, readings, a writing workshop, discussions, a banquet, and an evening where words and sounds weave a night of resonant stories. Created in collaboration with numerous partners, this event offers a joyful escape to explore writing from here and elsewhere.
Le Partage de midi – Conversation with Mohamed El Khatib
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM – Calade
Free Entry
Meet Mohamed El Khatib and immerse yourself in his artistic universe! A conversation about his career, his body of work, and his creative process.
Moderated by Emmanuel Bouchez.
In partnership with Télérama.
Une autre histoire du théâtre
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM – Studio
By reservation
A discussion around the book Pour une autre histoire du texte de théâtre 1975-2000 by Juliette de Beauchamp and Baudouin Woehl, part of the “Penser le théâtre” collection, published by Circé. Moderated by Pierre Longuenesse.
In 2017, Juliette de Beauchamp and Baudouin Woehl began research on French-language plays written between 1975 and 2000, aiming to rescue from obscurity the vast majority of them—especially those that still resonate today. With the support of a reading committee, they explored 200 works and selected twelve, each accompanied by a personal commentary, an introduction to the author, and an excerpt. Their choices, guided by thoughtful analysis, shine a light on often-overlooked Francophone authors—especially women—offering a new landscape of late 20th-century dramatic writing. This initiative, supported by the Théâtre National de Strasbourg under the direction of Stanislas Nordey, invites us to revisit and stage these plays to better understand our present through the questions and dramas of a time both recent and distant.
In partnership with the BnF and Circé editions.
Mystery Readings
2:00 PM – BnF
By reservation
A blind date with words: let yourself be carried away by an excerpt from a dramatic text, read by its author. You’ll find out the title and name of the author at the end!
In partnership with AF&C / Avignon Off Festival and the BnF.
Cabin Readings
2:00 PM - 2:30 PM & 3:00 PM - 3:30 PM – La Mouette
By reservation
La Commune’s Cabin Readings feature an author reading their text inside a soundproof booth on stage. Two actors, equipped with earpieces, hear the text in real time and interpret it live for the audience. This setup creates intense focus on the text, along with tension, humor, and sometimes discomfort. It’s a unique shared reading experience between authors, performers, and audience members.
Reading No. 1: Programme to be announced
Reading No. 2: Programme to be announced
Produced by La Commune – Centre Dramatique National d’Aubervilliers
Co-produced by ARTCENA
Reservations Coming Soon
RĂ©cits de jeunesse 2/2
2:30 PM - 3:30 PM – Studio
By reservation
Discover the diversity of contemporary youth voices! Brought to life by professionals, the plural narratives of young people aged 15 to 25 come to life on stage. Led by Jeunes Textes en Liberté and the Scène nationale de l’Essonne, this collaborative project paired youth groups with award-winning authors and cultural institutions in Essonne, supporting them in a creative process to bring their stories to the stage. Nine texts were born from these meetings—a kaleidoscope of today’s youth. Come discover a selection of texts by Béatrice Bienville, Jamila Bensaci, Charlotte Buosi, Leïla Cassar, Edith Delarue, Penda Diouf, Elio Jacquel, Eric Maniengui, and Esteban Okbi.
Directed by Anthony Thibault
With Claire Barrabès, Maly Diallo, Yassine Harrada, Blade Mc Alimbaye, Mélody Pini, and Anthony Thibault.
A project by Jeunes Textes en Liberté and the Scène nationale de l’Essonne
In partnership with Les Bords de Scènes, Théâtre Intercommunal d’Étampes, Espace Marcel Carné, Théâtre Sénart – Scène Nationale, Scène de recherche – ENS Paris-Saclay, Le Silo, MJC-CS Jacques Tati – Orsay, and Théâtre de Corbeil-Essonnes.
Supported by ARTCENA and Fondation La Poste.
4x4 – Youth Performance (Ages 9 and Up)
4:00 PM – Avignon City Hall
By reservation
Je ne me plains pas by Simon Grangeat, staged reading directed by Tal Reuveny.
In partnership with Tréteaux de France – National Touring Drama Centre and Le Totem – Nationally Recognized Venue for Art, Children, and Youth – Avignon.
Du côté des éditeurs
4:30 PM - 6:00 PM – Studio
By reservation
Come and discover three newly published texts brought to the stage by acting students from ERACM, training at La Criée. These premiere readings are followed by a discussion with the authors and publishers, moderated by Gwénola David, and a book signing session.
Un bruissement de fourmilières by Adeline Flaun
Album by Lola Molina
Fake by Julien Rocha
In partnership with publishing houses Espaces 34, Koïné, and Théâtrales, and with La Criée – Théâtre National de Marseille and the Regional Acting School of Cannes and Marseille.
RESERVATION
Après nous, les ruines
7:00 PM – Studio
By reservation
"Four seasons and the catastrophe that stretches across the landscape, suddenly swallowing the friends who had been lunching there in the park, so calm and tenderly connected at first. Four seasons and the unraveling of intimacy, the gradual disappearance of one another in silence, the erasure of data, the abandonment of certainties."
With great sensitivity, Pierre Koestel offers a compelling play exploring the fragility of the world after nuclear disaster—after Chernobyl, after Fukushima.
Text by Pierre Koestel
Staged reading by Lena Paugam
Performed by Esther Armengol, Ramo Jalilyan, Charlotte Leroy, Paolo Malassis.
Produced by Compagnie Alexandre
Co-produced by Théâtre Ouvert – National Centre for Contemporary Playwriting, Scènes du Golfe (Vannes), L’Archipel – Cultural Centre of Fouesnant – Les Glénan, and Théâtre du Pays de Morlaix.
RESERVATION
Production
With technical support from Radio Radio
With the complicity of the librairie du Festival