Charles Berling is an artist balancing concern with optimism. Confronted by what he sees as threats to creative freedom from “billionaires” and politicians, he envisions his two theatrical venues in the Var region as modern-day agoras. The actor-director is celebrating the 60th anniversary of Châteauvallon, a unique national theater in Ollioules, known for its diverse spaces including a main building, an amphitheater overlooking the harbor, and a pine forest.

At 67, Berling believes that Châteauvallon’s history holds valuable lessons for today. He recalls that in 1995, when the National Front gained control of Toulon, becoming the first major city to shift to the far right, châteauvallon faced near closure.This came after the deprogramming of the rap group NTM in 1996, due to pressure from the town hall and fears of public unrest.

The then-director, Gérard Paquet, was dismissed, and the association dissolved, but “The place has survived thanks to the State,” says Charles Berling.As then,Châteauvallon,located near working-class neighborhoods,has evolved into a “nationale” scene,while continuing to embrace urban cultures. On July 18, Kader Attou will present “Hip-hop night” as part of the Special Summer Festival celebrating 60 years.

Berling on Culture and Ideology

“The reduction of public subsidies to culture is ideological.”

“Right now, there is the totally false idea that a group of sores is having fun with public money with a little abstruse or too provocative shows.” For the theater director, who also leads the Liberté theater in Toulon, “The reduction of public subsidies to culture is ideological.” According to him, “The national rally is at the forefront in this movement. Though Malraux said, very right: the day when politicians think that it is indeed to say ‘This is art, it is not’ it is the beginning of totalitarianism.”

Charles Berling is proud of his stage adaptation of journalist Philippe Collin’s podcast,”Léon Blum,a heroic life.” “We did not make a show but a participatory theatrical event. A guy draws history, historians answer questions, there are actresses and actors. We put back from the agora by being horizontal.”

“You have to do theater today to find the function of Agora.Because people suffer from being only on their laptop to discuss a sentence on subjects like subjects like ‘Gaza, are you for, are you against?’“.Currently, he and Philippe Collin are planning a stage adaptation of the podcast “resistants,” aiming to premiere it at the comédie de Montpellier in spring 2026.