Serge Rezvani and France's Theatre Ouvert -Clash between Dramatist and Producer

Abstract

THE RECENT OPENING of the new Beaubourg/ Pompidou Culture Centre in Paris (January 31 , 1977) and the lengthy absence from the French stage of Serge Rezvani (in the world of the theatre, famous, above all, for his Capitaine Schelle, Capitaine Eçço) appear at first glance totally unconnected. Even the mention of Theatre Ouvert does not seem to provide an adequate common denominator, until one remembers that Lucien Altoun's enterprise was chosen to be the initial performer at France's National Culture Centre and that it was under his aegis that Rezvani agreed to appear before the Parisian public (a special festival, incorporating his songs, his latest paintings and two new plays, was held February 5-15, 1976, at the Marais Culture Centre). Theatre Ouvert and Rezvani are both important phenomena in their own rights, and a quick look at each is warranted before a longer look at their head-on collision during this festival.