Vélo Théâtre (1981)

Vélo Théâtre was started by Charlot Lemoine and Tania Castaing in1981, in Angers, France. They create performances based on images with few or no words, feeling that actors can interpret objets and a series of objects,just as they can interpret words and phrases. Emotions are born of the fragile relationship that the actor establishes with the objects he brings to life on stage. The audience is invited into this intimate relationship. Vélo Théâtre, and other companies working along the same lines, invented a common voculabary,a new expression was born: "le Théâtre d'Objet" or "Object Theatre". In 1985, Vélo Théâtre moved to the south east of France not far from Avignon in the Vaucluse.. Here they developed new theatrical performances while continuing to tour both nationally and internationally. Their poetic universe has become well known in many festivals in France and overseas.. In 1993, the company rented a former crystalised fruit factory in Apt's "Pépinère d'Entreprise" or "Nursery for Young Businesses ". The Théâtre Massalia of Marseille,was co-producer of the initial work and contributed to setting up its first public performance. The town council of Apt then confirmed its inter est in encouraging Vélo Théâtre's projects, signing a long term, renewable, contract with the company. This was shortly followed by support from departmental,régional and national bodies. Vélo Théâtre was designated a "Regional Pole for Cultural Development". Thus began a pilot scheme linking artistic research, artists in residence, experiments in artistic mentoring, and presenting performing and visual arts. The team grew.... Vélo Théâtre, now affectionately called "le Vélo" (bicycle) has developed into a true "nursery of ideas", a space for both artists and their audience to meet, a melting pot for new emotions and ideas. Under an immense wooden beamed roof imposing and generous like a starry night, artistes from France and abroad are invited to become part of "le Vélo" for the duration of their residency. Performances, concerts, exhibitions and collaborative projects among artists are developed. The place itself has become one of the mainstays of the cultural life in Apt and the surrounding communities. From the beginning Vélo Théâtre has found its momentum by inspiration. And if their activity of "artists in residence" has taken more and more of the year's calendar, the joy in manipulating objects still persists, intact and intense. Their performances are like scientific poems, discovered through a magnifying glass or a telescope. Thus, as the "le Vélo" , the place lives and vibrates with its daily adventures, "Vélo" the company continues creating new formances, offering its silent imagination and the pleasure of performing to a diverse public.