The Castellada, performed by the Miranda Company, returns from August 7 to 18 for a 2.5-hour nighttime promenade in the Parc de la Colline du Château in Nice. We attended the rehearsals, providing us with insights into this event.
After a break last summer, the Castellada is making a grand return starting August 7. The Parc de la Colline du Château in Nice hosts this promenade-spectacle every evening until August 18 inclusive. The show is not new; it was created in 2002 and has been continually evolving since. “It’s really something that is now identified as a major cultural event in Nice,” emphasizes Patrick Mottard, municipal councilor delegated to the Performing Arts.
Behind the scenes, rehearsals started only two days ago. Everything is falling into place for the Miranda Company, fresh from the Avignon Festival. They have four days left before the first performance, but the actors have good memories; the songs and lines come back quickly, and the show has already come back to life.
In the Cube room, the Company’s HQ, the red seats are covered with costumes and props from another era. Some of the costumes were lent by the Diascomie, the production center of the Nice Opera. The Castellada is a living spectacle that delves into the past. Over twelve consecutive nights, the troupe will roam the Hill through a dozen scenes, each narrating an episode in the city’s history in its own way.
The site is perfect for this performance, being a genuine historical and archaeological site, integral to the history of Nice. “It’s 400,000 years of history, and that’s why the spirit of Nice is so unique, a bit prickly due to the struggles, but with a big heart,” shares Thierry Surace, director of the Castellada. Additionally, the Hill offers a striking natural backdrop with panoramas of the port, the Promenade des Anglais, or Vieux-Nice.
“Respect and Highlight the History of Nice”
Each year has its theme. “This year, it’s about time. Time that loops back, and if we don’t listen to it, we repeat the same mistakes,” explains the artistic director.
The goal goes beyond entertainment; it’s about “respecting and highlighting the history of Nice.” Thus, the audience embarks on a time-travel journey that doesn’t shy away from the darker parts of history. It promises a wide range of emotions, as the tone isn’t the same in Greek theater compared to commedia dell’arte. Delving into Nice’s history means discussing iconic figures like Catherine Segurane and the siege of Nice, Louis XIV and the destruction of the Château, or the heroic Giuseppe Garibaldi.
“I love the scene with Garibaldi. We’ve shaken things up because Garibaldi is often seen as the hero of Nice with his big beard. But I’ve read many testimonies and letters about Anita, his wife. She was as strong as he was, so we choreographed this scene as a tango, a clash of personalities,” he passionately recounts. “We seek humanity and poetry.”
The theatrical performance is at the heart of the project, but it blends with other art forms for a richly diverse result. The group of approximately fifteen actors incorporates comedy, singing, music, and even dance into the spectacle. “We strive to give an aesthetic that matches the era,” explains the author.
The Castellada is an open and accessible show for everyone, locals and tourists alike, starting at nine euros. Tickets are available online. It’s essential to speak French to fully appreciate the performance.