Le Chainon Manquant

34th Edition: The Art of Bouncing Back from Constraints

The 34th edition of Le Chainon Manquant took place from September 16 to 21, 2025, in Laval and Changé, amidst a tight budget. Despite the withdrawal of the Pays de la Loire region, which forced the organization to adapt its format, the festival demonstrated remarkable resilience by offering 65 shows for 112 performances, compared to 72 shows the previous year.

The multidisciplinary program brought together theater, dance, circus, street arts, music, and comedy in about twenty partner venues. Among the highlights open to the public, the Théâtre de Laval hosted notable productions such as Extrémités (circus), Vida (puppetry), and Entrer dans la couleur (music). On the Place de Boston, Compagnie Gratte Ciel presented a spectacular street performance, Fuego, combining aerial acrobatics and pyrotechnics.

The Prologue, held on September 12 and 13 in several towns of the agglomeration, kicked off the festivities with theater, circus, fanfare, and world music shows, demonstrating the festival's territorial roots.

With a hall occupancy rate identical to the previous edition and an attendance of 16,500 spectators, this 34th edition confirmed the audience's loyalty and the relevance of the Le Chainon Manquant model, despite a difficult economic context for live performance.

• 65 shows and 112 performances in about twenty venues
• 16,500 spectators in halls and street performances
• 750 professionals welcomed, including 400 scouting
• 300 volunteers mobilized (3,554 hours of volunteering)
• Hall occupancy rate identical to 2024
• Prologue on September 12-13 in the towns of the agglomeration
• Pyrotechnic show Fuego by Cie Gratte Ciel on Place de Boston