The Maison du Peuple theater closes the 2023-24 season with record attendance

Pour la dernière, la compagnie Le cerf bleu est venue recréer la légende de Robin des Bois DR

Around 38,000 spectators passed through the venue's doors during the 2023-24 season. A record in 16 years of operation. 

A record year. As the curtain has just fallen on the 2023-2024 season at the Maison du Peuple theater, smiles were there on Friday. And for good reason. Since opening 16 years ago, the flagship cultural venue of the town of Millau has never recorded such attendance.

At its head for 12 years, Stéphane Chatellard appreciates it."The accounts have not yet been finalized, but we should close the exercise with an attendance of around 38 000 spectators." A record and a nice surprise for the Millavine convention scene which is ultimately not one.

In addition to the programming which explores the entire spectrum of live performance under the antiphon – "there is something for all tastes" –, the success of the sessions outside the walls and the combined effects of the d&rsquo system cultural education set up with the City and the reception of school audiences, the improvement in the theater's accounts can also be explained by the renewed confidence of the Millavois public.

"People trust us… On sometimes more complex projects. The public is there and also likes to take risks, develops the director. With our 800 subscribers we also welcomed a new audience. A neo-public established in the territory which already frequented the living theater and which found us this season."

Composed of 61% of Millavois residents, the audience at the Maison du Peuple therefore confirms the merits of the cultural offering of the place. "Very happy that something is happening outside of just the summer months", validates Stéphane Chatellard who defends also the pricing policy applied: "consistent and very acceptable."

"Around elsewhere"

An effective cocktail tinged with a conviviality that the team instills on a daily basis. "Schools included, we have scheduled 80 performances this season. We don’t see it, but the People’s House is a spectacle every three days. Before arriving at high school, each student will also have seen two shows per year throughout their schooling. This is pretty crazy!"

After "the living", the theme of last season, the Maison du Peuple unveils its 2024-2025 programming "around l’elsewhere". "We will have artists from everywhere. From South America with a great Argentinian saxophonist. From West Africa with the Circus Boabab company and its Yé (water) project, lists Stéphane Chatellard who reveals some other dates to be announced not to be missed.

"For the first time, we will also have a horse on set for Les hommes bleus from the company Faux Magnifico with Jean-Marc Barr. Ariane Ascaride will present Gisèle Halimi, a fierce freedom. We will also welcome Aymeric Lompret who can be found on France Inter and another comedian, Chloé Oliveres, who will present to us When I grow up, I will be Patrick Swayze!"

"Jann Gallois, our big hit"

He is a flamenco virtuoso. She, one of the most brilliant contemporary dancers of her generation. David Coria and Jann Gallois will also be in Millau on December 6 to merge their disciplines in Imperfecto. "The Big Shot" from the House of the People. "It’is of a very high level, confirms the director. Our economic model allows us today to take this type of risk and offer a quality public service." Who will complain…

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