Since Thursday evening, the L'Escapade theater in Hénin-Beaumont has been the scene of an unlimited strike launched by actors and technicians, in response to a call from the CGT Spectacle. This protest movement aims to denounce the "wage pressures" and the "interference" of the town hall, led by Steeve Briois (National Rally) since 2014, in the management of this emblematic cultural venue.
The collective "L'Intruse", which was to perform on stage this evening, has decided to suspend its performance. "Our intermittent workers are going to go on strike and will hold a picket to inform the public," said Camille, an actress in the troupe, who preferred to remain anonymous. The CGT Spectacle and the theater workers criticize the municipality for unilateral decisions, such as signing a new agreement allowing the city hall to take control of the venue with 60 days' notice.
The theatre's director, Jean-Yves Coffre, who has been on sick leave since August and is under threat of dismissal for moral harassment (accusations he denies), was not consulted on this agreement. The union and the artists fear that the municipality will take advantage of this situation to municipalize the theatre, thus putting an end to the cultural independence of L'Escapade.
Tensions escalated on September 25 during the opening of the season, with speeches from the collective and the National Union of Performing Arts (Synavi), denouncing an attempt by the city hall to "take over" the theater. Christopher Szczurek, senator and leader of the RN majority on the city council, denied these accusations, stating that the annual subsidy of 300 euros allocated to the theater had always been maintained.
Despite the municipality's denials, artists fear that local culture will be brought into line, in a logic similar to that observed in Italy under Giorgia Meloni, where cultural institutions are being quietly reorganized under political control. The strike could continue, threatening to cancel other shows, such as "Bord de mer" and "La Trempe," scheduled for October.
For artists and unions, the fight goes beyond the simple question of theatre management: it is about defending cultural independence in the face of what they perceive as an insidious political takeover.
