Nice theatre cancels play on July 14 attack victims' experiences at victims' request

The National Theatre of Nice has canceled the public reading of a play that was set to explore the experiences of victims of the July 14th Nice attack. The decision was announced on Wednesday, June 17th, by the theater's organizers.

The play, titled "14 Juillet," was based on the court notes compiled by lawyer Olivia Chalus-Penochet. It aimed to give voice to the more than 200 victims affected by the 2016 Bastille Day truck attack, which killed 86 people and injured hundreds more on the Promenade des Anglais.

While the specific reasons for the cancellation were not detailed in the initial announcement, the decision came after discussions and likely in response to sensitivities surrounding the event. The theater had planned to stage a public reading, allowing audiences to engage with the material derived from the legal proceedings and victim testimonies.

The cancellation highlights the ongoing delicate nature of commemorating and representing such traumatic events. The theater's move suggests a desire to avoid causing further distress to victims and their families, prioritizing their well-being over the public presentation of the play.