It is one of the oldest in France: for its 50th anniversary, the Roquebrune-Cap-Martin theatre festival looks back on its history

"What are the oldest theater festivals in France?" The answer quickly came from ChatGPT. Avignon, Sarlat... And then, in seventh place, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. "You see, even an American app knows that! " laughs Chantal Martino, the president of the Roquebrune-based event. This year, it's celebrating its fiftieth anniversary.

To understand the genesis of the festival, founded in 1975 , we must go back to the previous year. The Culture and Leisure Center (CCL) had just been created. Among the first activities offered was drama. A theater enthusiast, Daniel Maggiore , offered an introduction. With the help of Fernand Salti and Cyrille Peyre. The classes went so well that at the beginning of 1975, they considered putting on a show. The women were overwhelmingly in the majority? So be it. They proposed a contemporary adaptation of Aristophanes' The Assembly of Women. All that was missing was a name for this new troupe. It would be the Bataclan Theater, to reflect the "joyful bustle" that reigned within the team.

"During this time, Cyrille established contacts with existing troupes in Roquebrune and Menton," recalls Daniel Maggiore in a text written for the 50th anniversary. "There is a troupe of teenagers put together by Gérard, a teacher at the Institution Saint-Joseph, who presents a classical play at the end of the school year. And that of Doctor Fievet, in Menton, which is more into the comic boulevard. So why not bring together our three shows over three evenings, in the Village hall?" This lovely trinity will officially mark the beginning of the festival. In May 1975.

It wasn't long before troupes from Nice, Cannes, Vence, and then from all over the region began performing there. "After the first few years, the festival was well-established and well-equipped enough to move to the magnificent site of the castle forecourt. Even if at the beginning, cushions were distributed to spectators who sat on the sloping rock; fixed benches only came later," recalls Daniel Maggiore.

Chantal Martino, for her part, joined the movement in 1986. Initially to take theater classes… until gradually becoming part of the festival's organizing team. "When I was elected president of the CCL in 1995, the festival was under her aegis. But as the event grew in size, we split for administrative reasons. So we created Châtelains et saltimbanques to carry the event."

Over time, Chantal Martino has left her mark on the festival. By adding dance 25 years ago. Then by programming headliners, starting in 2011. To always go further. Higher. The first of them was called… Richard Bohringer. "He was a sweetheart. Since he ate organic food, my husband brought him a crate of tomatoes of all colors. He even talked about them during his show. And when he came a second time, he called me to ask for more!" says Chantal Martino. Also very influenced by Marc Jolivet [with her in the photo below, Editor's note]. By Titoff, too. "We danced together in the streets of the village. He said to me: 'You're a dance teacher, what do you think?' Then he confided in me: he was getting ready to participate in Dancing with the Stars."

The president also has fond memories of Christophe Barbier and Jean-Claude Drouot . Or, more recently, of the Count of Bouderbala and Franjo . "Comedy wasn't planned at the beginning either. We're always looking for something different. Like the musical we're programming this year," emphasizes Chantal Martino. She can count on a core group of six people for the organization, in addition to valuable occasional help.

As for the selection of shows, it always follows the same logic. "I get suggestions. I look at them, so as to make a pre-selection. If it interests me, I go see the show. Or I ask for the full video - not just a teaser," she says. Specifying that she has confidence in four people whom she sometimes sends to attend performances. " When I've seen everything, I make sure to build an eclectic program. With different genres so that it appeals to the widest possible audience." From year to year, we sometimes find the same actors on stage. Facing the sea. "There are plenty of good local companies. But we rotate them so as not to always invite the same ones," smiles Chantal Martino. Moved by the loyalty of the audience.

"Out of 200 spectators, there are often more than 50 long-time regulars. They come back every year, whether they're locals or regular holidaymakers."

The festival's anniversary will thus be a bit like theirs. Theirs too.