The Hippocampe Théâtre Company came into being in 1997 in Viviers with the summer creation “On ne Badine pas avec l'Amour” by Alfred de Musset and directed by Jean-Claude Sachot. There were 10 performances and thousands of spectators in Viviers to see it. The team was renewed in 1999 with the actors Pierre Saphores, Alexandra Ré, Serge Huercio and, painter, sculptor and mask maker, Claude Roche.
The group takes on creations like: "L'Enlèvement de Colombine"; performances for children: "la Petite Clef", "Contes Gloutons", "les Génies" and "Graines d'Histoires"… and does workshops (mask creations, marionnettes, theatre for children and adults,and improvisation). The purpose is to promote culture throughout the year, particularly in Ardèche.

In 2000, the team created an original performance "Les Journées des Histoires Courtes" proposing brief and varied shows (theatre, marionnette, tales and cinema). This has become a yearly festival and is now a famous “rendez-vous” for the public of this area.

In 2002, Sylvain Fornier, Karim Amari, Georges Laflotte and Marie-Laure Boggio joined the company and brought new life to the artistic team. The actors of the current team have different profils: some come from Street Theatre, some from dramatic schools of art some are puppeteers, painters, scultpters, dancers or musicians …

They are all deeply motivated to take part in the cultural and social life and contribute their complementary skills to developing the full creative potential of the group. This commitment was witnessed in the creation of Mirabaï in August of 2002 and of “parades !” based on Beaumarchais and Potocki texts in August of 2004.
Timothée Horvais has since joined the team.