The Théâtre du Gros Mécano has been dedicated to the creation and production of plays for young audiences since 1976.
Over the years, a steady stream of nearly 40 original productions, put together by local artists, like block towers of all shapes and sizes, has been shared with parents and children as a game, or a playground of emotions where all discussion becomes possible.
A game that morphs into something new, that uses many voices. A game that constantly reinvents itself, production after production, with one purpose in mind: To accompany children in their life experience… “here and now”…
Some may call it the game of life, or Lego Blocks, ... We call it Le Gros Mécano...*
*The Théâtre du Gros Mécano (literally: The Theatre of the Big Meccano Set) gets its name from a word play on a popular construction game using metal strips connected with nuts and bolts.
The Théâtre du Gros Mécano’s artistic path combines the artists’ projects and dreams with child development. This theatre for young audiences is both accessible and touching, and moves adults and children alike from laughter to tears, always inspiring imagination and discussion. We want children to feel loved, understood, and supported through our productions and school activities. Preparation and follow-up are as important to us as the show itself.
Keeping children and our art in mind, we are constantly looking to balance two opposing forces. On the one hand, we find the stable, clear and deeply thought-out personal approach proposed by one or many of our long-standing associate artists. On the other is our desire to look for new artistic ideas, discover new sensibilities, and experience new adventures through the input of fresh ideas.
Modul'AIR (module Action, Intervention and Research) offers a flexible structure that welcomes these opposing forces and allows us to avoid some of the unknowns connected to the creative process. This approach meets our need for openness as it offers creators fertile ground to develop new artistic projects.
This new and more open creative process helps renew our art, encourages new ideas, and develops current, lively theatricality. It also secures our company’s future and guarantees that our efforts, expertise and investments continue to nourish our craft and environment long after its artistic pioneers have left.