Le Préau
Regional Dramatic Arts Centres, Le Préau, based in the town of Vire (Calvados) pursues several missions:
- Regional Dramatic Arts Centre for Children and Young People
- Multidisciplinary non-specialised artistic season
- Living show network in rural environment
- Formation
Le Préau, the company
Like all Regional Dramatic Arts Centres, Le Préau is a registered company (a French SARL). It is directed by an artist, director: Éric de Dadelsen. The company has 17 permanent employees plus temporary staff during the season who represent a full time equivalent of 23 additional employees, giving a total of 40 employees during the season.
It has an annual turnover of about 1 600 000 euros financed by the State, 35 % by the Lower Normandy DRAC and 42 % by the local communities (Lower Normandy region, Vire town and the Regional Councils of Calvados and La Manche departments).
Living show network in rural environment
Within a 40 km radius around Vire, Le Préau has created a living show network (big top, small structures, equipped multipurpose halls, etc.) in rural environment. This network, known as the "Pollen Network", is an association under the French law of 1901, including individuals and representatives from 12 communes who meet in each commune in "Cultural Action Community Centres". The high spot of the network is the "Festival des Petites Scènes Buissonnières" held once every two years in the Autumn .
The premises
The theatre consists of a large building whose outside is covered by pre-polished copper. It has a variable capacity auditorium of 620 to 740 seats arranged in tiers. The stage is 17 metres wide, 16 metres deep with a height under grid of 14 metres.
The extensive use of beechwood (floorboards, walls, structure, etc.) produces a very warm atmosphere and excellent acoustics. The theatre has a rehearsal room in the basement which communicates with the dressing rooms. The offices are located on the front of the building, on the glazed facade, but communicate with the auditorium. The theatre also contains two cinemas in the basement, managed by the town of Vire.
Training
Le Préau has an internal training unit: the Préau Studio-Theatre (children, teenagers, adults). It created the Drama Baccalaureate at the Marie Curie secondary school in Vire: 5 levels: 5th form, Lower and Upper Sixth optional subject, Lower and Upper sixth compulsory subject – Drama Baccalaureate.
It also organises artistic practical workshops for primary schools, middle schools and upper secondary schools, mainstream and technical education. Education of spectators through theatre is closely linked to the rate of attendance.
A total of about 300 pupils/season.
Missions of the Regional Dramatic Arts Center
The primary mission of the National Dramatic Arts Centre for Children and Young People is the creation and coproduction of national and international plays, in the broad sense of the term, intended for young people: at least two to three performances are produced every year.
The production is supported by a team of resident actors, a property construction and costume unit and rehearsal rooms. It represents a national resource centre for living shows for young people.
Le Préau stages its shows both in France and abroad: an average of 150 to 180 shows per year on tour.
History
The Lower Normandy National Dramatic Arts Centre for Children and Young People was created in 1978 by Yves Graffey, director of the "Gros Caillou" theatre at Caen. In 1992 Éric de Dadelsen took over and created the "Théâtre du Préau", based in Caen until 1994.
Le Préau organised in Caen a youth season, created its own shows and set up - supported by the Lower Normandy Region - a wide-ranging cultural decentralisation policy across Lower Normandy.
Le Préau did not have its own premises at Caen, however. In 1995 therefore, Le Préau moved to Vire (60 km from Caen) into a magnificent building, whose architecture and efficiency make it one of the most outstanding theatres in France.
