Nine years ! Unbelievable ! Nine years ago when we first booked a theatre for two days to showcase our only french drama class at the time – the first of its kind ! - I remember thinking, 'But hang on... if we hire a venue for our students, shouldn't we also present a professional show?!' It led to the British premiere of unknown Feydeau one-act farces ! We had no idea that a few years later, we'll have three groups and an amdram company to showcase alongside our traditionnal flagship show ! We had no idea that we'd even be doing that show in two languages and run for four weeks ! These weeks have now become a traditionnal rendez-vous, a hub of inventivity and true annual cultural bridge ! Welcome back !
Bastille festival
9th edition
21st June to 17th July
History
2008
In July, in order to present the work of our students, we hire a theatre for what we immediately call Bastille Week. The first on Nine editions. First students showcase and translation and creation of MADAME’S LATE MOTHER, by Georges Feydeau, one of his one-act plays, never translated before in English. At the Rosemary Branch Theatre.
2010
Third Bastille Week, with the combination of our two Feydeau farces as a Double Bill and two students showcases again in July at the Brockley Jack Theatre. We also create small street theatre-scenes for Bastille Day in the Park.
2009
Second Bastille Week in Juillet. We translated a second one-act play by Feydeau, A HOUSE BATH. We also present two students showcases this time. It happens at the Tabard Theatre. ‘Exchange Theatre has done a service translating these plays into English’ Reviewsgate.
2011
Fourth Bastille Week.we have this time three students shows to present, one of them gets three nights (La Nuit des Rois, Twelfth Night by Shakespeare) at the Lion and Unicorn Theatre
2012
Fifth Bastille Week. Le Cafe Theatre des Chartrons comes from Bordeaux to perform LA VIE ETERNELLE by David Furlong, after a success in France and the amdram company performs LE FIL A LA PATTE (A flea in her ear) by Feydeau, with also three other students showcases at theLion and Unicorn Theatre.
2013
Sixth Bastille Week: After two years at the Institut, the company launches an ambitious project : The same show, one in French, one in English. UN AIR DE FAMILLE, in collaboration with Art Fabric and A FAMILY AFFAIR at the Drayton Arms Theatre. Moreover the festival showcases three groups of students.
2014
Seventh Bastille Week with four students showcases. Our Amdram company presents a Joel Pommerat play.
2015
LE MEDECIN MALGRE LUI is also performed as part of Bastille Week, eighth edition, with three students showcases
What's on
The doctor in spite of himself/ Le Médecin malgré lui Book here: FR & ENG
Sganarelle is a drunk and beats his wife, who in return spreads the word that he is actually a brilliant doctor who can only work when he is beaten. And in spite of himself, the doctor performs miracles after all! A protean look at a French classic comedy in a modern 'breaking bad' version, which marked marked Moliere’s return to the genre after a couple of years in the wilderness trying to take himself more seriously, and, as such, forms the basis for much of his later, more famous work.
Un petit jeu sans conséquences
Book here
Claire and Bruno have been together for 12 years. During a day at the country side which gathers all their closest friends and family, they will be led to pretend that they're separating.... which doesn't seem to surprise anyone, to their upmost bewilderment. Un petit jeu sans conséquence is one of the most succesful surprise-success of the last decade in French theatre.
C'est égal Book here
Ensemble scenes where strange characters meet. Cruel stories of life and death, truth and imagination. Short scenes in which humanity is tackled with a dark humour in all its aspects : solitude, love, murder, abandon, pain, death. Life : C'est égal!
Amours Book here
This show in French tells stories of love and partings from now and yesterday. “Amours” shows the highs and lows les hauts in relationships, sometimes in comical contexts, sometimes in melodramatic or poignants situations, always illustrating the deep human desire to connect with another being.
The three musketeers Book here
Join Athos, Porthos and Aramis as they relate the remarkable story of d’Artagnan. A thrilling adventure of love and revenge unfolds, in which the feisty young d’Artagnan in dangerous political game must not only save the nation of France but the woman he loves. this rollercoaster of a production, brings Dumas’ classic to life as four actors play nearly thirty roles in approximately two hours of fast-paced and exhilarating action.
Hervé Book here
A busker of French African descent tells the extraordinary tale of his adoption by an unconventional white Belgian couple who travelled the world. Delving into issues of race and individuality, the show explores why Hervé is the man he is today. HERVÉ was nominated for a Fringe First award at the Edinburgh Festival.
Yama - Tales of Shonai Book here
A bi-lingual collection of traditional stories and songs from the prefecture of Yamagata in Northern Japan.
The eclectic tales are about people swallowing birds, foxes arguing over an old man's tumour, regional lying competitions, a woman who never eats, complaints from the Lord of the Underworld, terrifying testicles, and a young woman plotting the death of her mother-in-law.
Ailes blessées Book here
A new creation, in which, altogether, the cast of seven play 12 characters. Nowadays, in Paris, their paths cross and collide. Each of them in their early thirties go through a crucial time of reinvention in order to carry on. The dynamic action covers a variety of themes : pursuing your dreams, couples relationships, friendships, sex and death. A contemporary drama which may well resemble everybody.
VENUE
Drayton Arms theatre
153 Old Brompton Rd, London SW5 0LJ
www.thedraytonarmstheatre.co.uk
WEBSITE
PRESS CONTACTS
English
Chris Hislop
chris.hislop@gmail.com / 07711 033205
www.chrishislop.com
Française
Zohra Chachou
info@echangetheatre.com / 07447 082607
English
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