Friday, April 15, 2011
Sarkozy's government sacks head of Paris theatre after Mitterand play
The Guardian: "It was inaugurated by Marie Antoinette in 1782 and taken over by a student rebellion in May 1968. From the premiere of Beaumarchais's cheeky satire The Marriage of Figaro to Jean Genet's scathing depiction of the Algerian war, the Théâtre de L'Odéon has prided itself on provocation.
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2 comments:
The fact that the government can (nevermind has) fire an artistic director for producing a play critical of its own government reminds me that, as many troubles as our own government has in regulating itself, we are lucky here in the US to have a freedom of speech.
Granted there are many other, more subtle, ways our own government can sabotage an arts organization (FUNDING) that is just about the same as out-and-out firing its AD and it's easily arguable that our "freedom" of speech is little more than a pretense...but I think I would still rather this than the alternative.
The truth will come out. And if it doesn't, there are plenty of takes on it. I would be surprised if Sarkozy sacked the AD because of criticism. I think there is probably another reason. It will be interesting to see how the new guy does, though. Hostility might be high, even if he doesn't deserve it, just because he's taking Py's place. (Also, it sounds as though he's been let go a little lighter than "sacked" -- it says that he isn't getting his contract renewed. It isn't like he's in the middle of a contract. Still, it's a loss. But there is plenty of non-government funded theatre that he can do. Perhaps this is best. It's going to allow him to explore while in his prime.)
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