Joanna Boutté, General Secretary of the National Stage of the Salins Theatre in Martigues, visited our studios to discuss the history and current events of this iconic venue.
Live performance takes center stage on Maritima. This week, the show La Famille Maritima welcomed Joanna Boutté, a key figure at the Salins Theatre. Between celebrating a historic anniversary and an explosive April 2026 program, she takes us behind the scenes of a structure that shines the spotlight on culture beyond Martigues.
As General Secretary, Joanna Boutté ensures the cohesion of this cultural “machine”. Her role? Coordinate communication, press relations, and the smooth operation between technical and public services. She defines live performance as an “embodied” experience, in contrast to the coldness of screens.
Inaugurated in 1995, the Salins Theatre celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2025. This Italian-style theater with its 600 seats, red velvet, and majestic marble is a jewel of the Martigues region, capable of hosting both horses on stage and orchestral pits for opera.
Carrying the label “National Stage” involves strong public service missions. For Joanna and the Salins team, the goal is to break down barriers and demystify the theater.
“Our mission is to bring contemporary creation to the residents. To make sure that in a city of 50,000 inhabitants like Martigues, we can see incredible things, international artists performing in Paris, New York, or London.”
The theater also supports creation through artist residencies and a very active artistic and cultural education program in neighborhoods and local associations.
The end of the season promises to be grand with three major events: 1. Leviathan (Lorraine de Sagazan): A shocking play under a big top, staged on the theater’s main stage, addressing the immediate appearance judicial system (with a horse on stage!). 2. Les Chiens de Navarre: The return of this cult company for a deranged satire around two imaginary trials. 3. Ruination (Ben Duke): A dazzling show combining dance, theater, and music.
” This is the only date in France for this English choreographer. He takes on the myth of Medea with a very British, explosive, and colorful humor.”
Outside the walls, the theater continues to enrich the territory with projects like Our Gardens in high schools and neighborhood houses, or 360 Degrees of dance in the department’s middle schools.
Don’t miss the upcoming performances by booking your seats directly on the theater’s official website.
