“French Cancan”, the creation of the burlesque tandem Patrice Thibaud and Philippe Leygnac at the Théâtre des Franciscains in Béziers.

Philippe Leygnac (left), Patrice Thibaud (right) and his dog Zia Midi Libre – Mathilde Jullien

L’affiche de “French Cancan”, la nouvelle création de Patrice Thibaud et Philippe Leygnac – Théâtre des Franciscains

The Théâtre des Franciscains has been hosting the comedy duo Patrice Thibaud and Philippe Leygnac in artistic residency since September 6. Their new creation, “French Cancan”, is a show for all audiences, without dialogue, that invites you to laugh at yourself through the universal language of humor. Discover it this Saturday, September 14 at 8 p.m. at the Théâtre des Franciscains.

“Contrast is the basis of comedy”. It is from this postulate that the inspiration of the two artists, Patrice Thibaud, actor and director, and Philippe Leygnac, musician, composer and actor, who have been partners on stage for 16 years, is woven.  Like Laurel and Hardy, the duo capitalizes on their differences and trains each other to compose comic situations woven by a common thread: "The contrast in physical appearance is formidable, explains Philippe, just with our presence on stage, without doing anything, it works”. With this very light creation, which does without elaborate sets or lighting effects, "wherewe return to the principle of trestle theatre, develops Patrice Thibaud, two characters, a piano, no need for words, it's just visual, gesture, situational comedy and it's up to the audience to imagine the sets and accessories".

A 16-year partnership in the service of creation

Thanks to their great complicity, the creative process begins very quickly: “We work quite quickly because we know each other very well, which allows us to get to the heart of the matter" explains the musician.  First, choreographies emerge in the mind of Patrice Thibaud, who writes the sequence of the show, then Philippe Leygnac comes to compose on the piano. Together, they adjust to find the right formula, in a constant search for simplicity and authenticity. "Philippe composes music, immediately an idea comes to me and vice versa. He has the ability to create very simple melodies that stay in the head, and it transports, it's direct"the actor is moved. Both from the same generation and with Jacques Tati as a common reference, they take an amused look at the characters of everyday life from which they draw inspiration : "All he has to do is nudge me while pointing out a passer-by, his singular gait, and we understand each other. It can inspire a character for me, a piece of music for him.” A search for poetry in humans which, for Patrice Thibaud, takes root in childhood with his grandfather: “I had a Spanish grandfather who loved to sit on the terrace of a café and have fun watching people. Every thirty seconds he would draw my attention to a detail in a passerby, a tic, a face".

A quest for universality through burlesque

Transporting spectators to elementary emotions, love, frustration or even jealousy, and leading them to take a gentle look at their own humanity, is the duo's leitmotif: "We make fun of ourselves first, we're not afraid of appear ridiculous and the idea that this self-mockery can then encourage the public to look more kindly at themselves or their loved ones, that's what we're looking for,” explains Patrice Thibaud. A quest for universality through burlesque humor that reaches a very wide audience. The two artists attach importance to performing in front of a disabled audience, and in particular the hearing impaired, who are sometimes excluded from spoken word theatre: “It's a show without barriers, a bit like Chaplin's films, it's for everyone, children, grandparents, foreigners, deaf people, autistic people. There is no more handicap, no more gap, they laugh at the same time, everyone is at the same level of understanding”.

After a week of residency, the duo will test the reactions of the spectators for the first time this Saturday, September 14, on the stage of the Théâtre des Franciscains. A valuable feedback that will then allow them to make changes, to bring fluidity to their creation, before a first official performance date.

“French Cancan”, a show for all audiences, at 8pm at the Franciscan Theatre. Free entry I subscribe to read more