For several months the world of culture has been paralyzed by the health crisis. All the shows are canceled but some structures are fighting at all costs, such as the Calais national scene. Spotlight on The Channel which continues all that is possible to do.
–
Our Littoral Hauts-de-France edition offers you an immersion in the heart of the Channel, the national stage of Calais. Here, cultural players continue to rehearse and mobilize despite the health context to bring this institution to life.
Continue to create and make people dream
Objective for the Channel, “continue all that is possible “ as explained to us, Léna Pasqualini. The deputy director wants “continue to create and make people dream“even though this situation has lasted for almost a year.”We hope and we wish this is a temporary situationshe sighs.
“So that doesn’t change our eagerness to work, our way of projecting ourselves. We continue to think and we look forward to next year. We stay creative! We are active as in a beehive. This crisis forces us to be constantly active, constantly in reflection, to be hyper adaptable. We can do this work because I think we are a relatively small team and we have a very close and convenient relationship with the artists, with the teachers who will be with us to find solutions. “
Interview with Léna Pasqualini, deputy director of the Channel in Calais
–
A Deputy Director between frustration and sadness but always with the desire to welcome the artists and schedule them as soon as possible: “Part of our team is teleworking but we continue to welcome artists in residence and even if we had to cancel the shows we have decided to pay the companies.”
Artists in residence …
The performance halls are free but not empty! “Artists can dispose of it as they wish“explain Léna Pasqualini.”A presence that feels good and creativity is expressed all the more.“
Sébastien Wojdan is a jack of all trades. Musician and circus artist, here he is preparing his new show, entitled “Blanc.” The numbers imagined are numerous and require practice.
Sébastien Wojdan in residence at the Channel in Calais
–
“Blanc” is a show where the hypochondriac artist brings to life the fears, taboos and oppressions that human beings can suffer. A constantly evolving creation. The stage becomes a laboratory that he experiences as with his knives.
“Repetitions are very important. At the start there are a lot of things that come and gradually you purify and sometimes only the essential remains. There is a hook that has been made between The Channel and my way of reaching the public, that is to say of creating a relationship with people “says Sébastien.
Far from his audience, the artist continues to develop his show. But after several months of stoppage, getting back to work is not necessarily easy. “I feel a bit like a diesel that has been in the garage for a while but hop hop hop, you have to go now “he smiles.
