The Council of State must decide on Wednesday whether the appeals of cultural professionals, who request the reopening of the rooms as soon as possible to continue to exercise their profession, are valid or not.

At the Parisian theater of La Contrescarpe, the actors have in any case the impression "of never seeing the deadline arrive".

REPORTAGE

The Council of State is due to vote on the immediate future of cultural professions on Wednesday.

Professionals in this sector have indeed contested, in several summary proceedings, the closure of their establishments until at least January 7.

For them, no matter when the reopening takes place, it will be necessary to have things to present when the public returns.

Until then, in some theaters, the actors are busy and continue to rehearse, despite the uncertainty and the false joys.

Like those of December 15, when the rooms were initially due to reopen after the second confinement.

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At the Théâtre de la Contrescarpe, in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, a play inspired by the life of Jacques Chirac is currently being rehearsed.

The premiere was supposed to take place on January 7, but is ultimately scheduled for January 21.

"We were closed for more than six months, then the curfew," laments Maud Mazur, director of the theater.

"In two days, we managed to reorganize all the programming, the ticket office, then finally we were announced a second confinement. Even if it is difficult to project, our actors continue to rehearse, because we have to move forward."

Optimism, "otherwise we'll go nuts"

Uncertainty is also beginning to dampen the morale of the troops.

"We still have to re-mobilize," wants to believe Lydie Melki, who plays in this room.

"There is still text to learn and energy to spend. We have the impression that it is spread out and that we never see the deadline arrive… At times, it's a little demotivating."

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However, they have one technique left between two rehearsals: optimism, telling themselves that the reopening will not be long.

"It's important! Otherwise, we will become nuts," says Marc Chouppart, who plays Jacques Chirac in this room.

And if, by a miracle, the public can return to the theater on Thursday, the actors say they are more ready than ever.