“Playing is a bit of a drug”
You found yourself confined with your four children. How did you experience this period?
“It was obviously a tragedy (laughs). I had never stopped playing for fifteen years. It made me very funny and good to realize how lucky we are to do this job. When you do two hundred dates a year, you end up finding it normal. We lose sight of the fact that this is quite an extraordinary thing. Compared to my children, I like to be on tour. That way I don’t care. Obviously, during confinement, this allowed me to learn their first name. I love designing, it’s my favorite moment. But I didn’t know there was something behind it. I should have been more diligent in biology class. »
Did you revise the text of your new show during this period?
“No, very little. In 2019, the show was completely accomplished. I’m making a few small jokes about the pandemic, but it’s not a subject I want to talk about. In this period, I cannot say that I was very inspired. I don’t know of any comedian who wrote a masterpiece during lockdown. In order to find the inspiration to make people laugh, you have to be free to move, you have to see people live. »
Have you had any doubts about the future of your career?
” No. But it’s true that it’s funny to have to reinvent yourself a little. My wife created an activity that exploded during confinement. She made jewelry. In fact, I found myself under the yoke of my woman, who solicited me to death. Fortunately, the show resumed otherwise the exploitation would have continued and my misfortune too. “
How did you appreciate the resumption of the shows?
“It was jubilant. Acting is a bit of a drug. When we no longer have it, we have a real lack. To find the stage again and make people laugh again, it’s as if you were starting a new shoot. For the most part, spectators were returning to see a show for the first time. It was enjoyable. With this confinement, I understood something. The fact that life resumed was the defeat of Netflix! We believed for a little while that we could live in telework and, in the evening, make series while eating pizzas. Some imagined that would be the future. Or, absolutely not. People came back to the shows. They laughed even more. We need to commune, to be together, to see life. It’s nice the virtual but it does not feed his man. People need to prove they are alive. »
In this new show, you tell us about your children. But which one did you think of?
“I come from a large family. I have six brothers. I’m number 3. I think I was the least difficult kid. Neither good in class nor bad. I already had a sense of laughter when I was very young. I was a funny child but without any particular asperity. I realize that laughter cannot be learned. It’s a sixth sense, a godsend. I had that chance. My brothers were my first audience. For a long time, I had more people in my family listening to me than in theaters. »
And for the cinema, would you like to shoot again?
“Of course I would. It’s a form of humor that is different and that I love. The one-man-show remains my hobby. I take great pleasure in being on stage. If I have experiences elsewhere, so much the better. Nevertheless, if in ten years I am still here to answer your questions with a new show, I will be absolutely delighted. I am very happy to make a film every night on stage. The cinema does not give this immense pleasure of being on stage for an hour and a half with an audience that comes to see you and laughs with you. »
Do you remember your very first album?
“It was ‘The Suitcase’ by Dorothée. You seem to be surprised… I answer frankly. And the next single was “Voyage Voyage” by Desireless. Side B had a flaw. The patch where the name was marked was stuck on the groove. As a result, I was never able to listen to the B side…”
Tuesday 5 April at 8.30 p.m., Bonlieu Scène Nationale, Annecy. Ticket office: Fnac, Carrefour, Cultura…