Friday 21st – Saturday 22nd February 2014
Le Grenat, Théâtre de l’Archipel, Perpignan
Un Train Pour Johannesburg
adapted from ‘Lost In The Stars’ by Kurt Weill & Maxwell Anderson
Lost in the Stars is a musical with book and lyrics by Maxwell Anderson and music by Kurt Weill, based on the novel Cry, the Beloved Country (1948) by Alan Paton. The musical premiered on Broadway in 1949, the composer’s last work for the stage before his death the following year.
This tragic story, set amidst the then (1948-49) newly enacted apartheid laws in South Africa, unfolds like a Greek tragedy tangled up in a mid-20th Century version of the story of the prodigal son–except in this version the father does not wait for the son’s return, but sets forth in search of him in the slums of Johannesburg.
It is August 1949 in the South African village of Ndotsheni. Apartheid. Black against white. Reverend Stephen Kumalo, learns that his sister is in trouble, and travels to Johannesburg to help. Whilst there, he seeks out his own son, Absalom, just out of jail, and prepared to do anything to avoid slave labour in the gold mines.
He kills Arthur Jarvis, a white friend of his father, during a robbery, and returns to jail.
At the trial, Absalom’s friends lie about their part in the robbery and are freed, but Absalom himself, truly repentant, takes the path of truth and is sentenced to hang Stephen looses his faith.
| More info: Le Théâtre de l’Archipel Avenue Général Leclerc BP 90 327 – 66003 Perpignan cedex Tel : 04 68 62 62 00 Email : info@theatredelarchipel.org |
Le Théâtre de l’Archipel
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No – it’s a theatre!
By Henry Shaftoe
The Théâtre de l’Archipel has landed in Perpignan and its autumn/winter season is a real treat.
Looking somewhat like the leftovers from an abandoned space station, or the giant contents of a child’s toy box tipped on to a site by the river Têt, the Théâtre de l’Archipel is in fact a recent project by celebrity French architect Jean Nouvel.
Love or hate the exterior look of the place, the auditoria it contains are excellent and the shows put on there are of the highest international standard. The biggest auditorium in the complex is called “Le Grenat” (the maroon blob in the picture) and I admit it took me a while to realise that this is a blatant visual reference to Perpignan’s reputation as the centre of garnet jewellery-making.
This is one of the finest performing arts complexes in France, with a performance programme to match, so if you have not already checked it out, I urge you to do so. More information at www.theatredelarchipel.org or call in (between 12.00 and 18.30) for their free 100 page brochure.
By Courtney O’Brien-Brown
There is an exciting new addition to the Perpignan skyline. If you have been to Perpignan in the last few months you would have noticed a large construction along Avenue Général Leclerc and a giant concrete bubble. This bubble is now ‘the grenat,’ a large theatre space accommodating 1100 guests and the venue of the Théâtre de l’Archipel. Designed by renowned French architect Jean Nouvel, the theatre will bring a touch of prestige to the previously rundown edge of the city.
The new theatre and cultural precinct is designed to be an artistic & cultural hub for the city. Welcoming local and international artists, it is hoped the precinct will encourage a spirit of multiculturalism and social tolerance.
There is something for everyone in the season line-up including theatre, dance, circus, opera, classical & contemporary music, as well as a special programme for children. Some of the artists performing include Eric Cantona, Thomas Dutronc and Yael Naim. Ticket prices range from 11€ to 40€.
For ticket and performance information you can visit the theatre website: www.theatredelarchipel.org Here you will be able to read more about “the grenat” and take a virtual tour of the site.
