After twenty years of career, the herald of the Cratère d’Alès is setting sail for good

André Bonneau : “Quand on voit cette salle remplie, on sent qu'on y est pour quelque chose. C'est jubilatoire.” Midi Libre – ALEXIS BETHUNE

Depuis 2006, André Bonneau assure la communication et les relations publiques de la scène nationale d'Alès. Le 21 janvier sera sa dernière journée dans ses murs. 

He is one of the faces that we thought we would encounter forever in the Alès Crater. If some spectators do not yet know him, they surely remember his singing voice from La Belle Province which could often be heard before the start of a show. "The accent has always been a bit useful to me," he admits, although, over time, his speaking resembles less and less the current jargons of Montreal.

After 20 years of service, André Bonneau is leaving. The current director of communications and public relations on the national scene is retiring at the age of 69. 

A life of travel

“I never thought of leaving! You realize, in terms of stats, I have ten years to live!" Beyond the second degree, André Bonneau especially remembers homelessness and twenty incredible years. at the service of Alesian culture.

From his native Quebec, he first embraced ethnology studies in his youth. While already being a big fan of jazz, dance, theater…

Just before preparing for the show, Jean-Louis Trintignant rehearsed his show, alone on stage. I was alone in front of him. It was more than a privilege to see him.

In 1991, he decided, at his 36th year, to take his bag and travel through old France. A "road-trip doing odd jobs" through France which will introduce him to the world of national scenes, in Cergy. "It was an actress friend who told me that the national scene in Cergy was looking for a Quebecer for its public relations, because the theater had links with Quebec. But I've never done one!" He will remain there for a good ten years. 

An "exceptional” Crater

It was therefore in 2006 that André Bonneau left the Parisian crown for the capital of the Cévennes. Without waiting, obviously, great hope, he applies for the Cratère, in search of a new agent. Denis Lafaurie, director at the time, decided to recruit him. Their collaboration will last until the latter's departure in 2021. 

"When we see this room full, we feel that we have something to do with it, it's jubilant."

Since then, André Bonneau has never left Alès. He even started a family there and obtained dual nationality. "Frankly, what I experienced here is exceptional," he admits when he observes the large Crater room. "We worked hard! But in incredible conditions… We laugh a lot!" 

André Bonneau has plenty of memories from the scene. "When we see this room filled, we feel that we have something to do with it, it's jubilant." But he particularly keeps in mind that of Jean -Louis Trintignant, alone on stage, in rehearsal. "I was all alone in the room. Just before preparing for the show, Jean-Louis Trintignant rehearsed his show, alone on stage. I was alone in front of him. It was more than a privilege to see him, in simplicity, working on something powerful."

January 21 will be, for André Bonneau, the last day in the heart of the Crater. Then, he will enjoy some quiet time between Alès and Haute-Loire, where he also has ties. On the national scene, his replacement is already known and his name is Stavros Skordas. This future new director of communications at Cratère is a close collaborator of Olivier Lataste, the current director. The two men worked together for several years on the national stage in Annecy, in Haute-Savoie. 

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