After a few minutes of an episode of Barbados, a new children’s series starring drag queen Barbada, the thing jumped out at me! With her exuberant mauve wig, her frilly dress and her long false eyelashes, this character is ultimately Dame Plume from The Ribouldingue !
Posted at 8:15 a.m.
Barbada is a character created by Sébastien Potvin 17 years ago. Originally from Beauport, the young man never knew his father who is of Barbadian origin, hence the name. Between two engagements in cabarets, corporate events or weddings (yes, yes, he has hosted more than 30 weddings to date), he offers music lessons to elementary school students.
A few years ago, he had the idea of creating Story time with Barbada, a concept he already introduces to children in libraries. While he was telling a story to little ones at BAnQ, actor and producer Marc-André Grondin saw this new kind of Fanfreluche.
Shortly after, he offered me to create a children’s television project with this character. I have to say he was very bold.
Sebastien Potvin
One thing leading to another, the concept took the form of a series of ten short programs in which Barbada receives guests and discusses topics related to the world of music. The visit of Klô Pelgag is an opportunity to talk about the power of music and that of Guylaine Tanguay, to offer a yodelling lesson to children. Barbada is also home to Normand Brathwaite, Ariane Moffatt, Les Louanges and many more.
The decor is as kitsch as it is spooky. Barbada is surrounded by a few characters like Jérémy, Fred and Yodel. Without adopting a sharp infantilizing diction, Sébastien Potvin expresses himself in clear and simple language. I watched a few episodes: what a beautiful and great pleasure!
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Sébastien Potvin, aka Barbada
Sébastien Potvin received me at his home, in a room in his apartment which has been transformed into a dressing room. Dozens of costumes, wigs and props cover the four walls. When I arrived he was already dressed and made up in Barbados. “As we are here to talk about my character, I preferred not to show myself as Sébastien. »
The discussion immediately focused on the famous question: are the children ready to welcome a drag queen? And the sub-question: are the parents too?
The children are ready, there is no doubt. We tend to forget it, but the child, what he wants in life is to have fun and have fun. Childhood is made of just that.
Sebastien Potvin
“The kids only see the colorful costume, they don’t care that I have hair on my legs. Sometimes the older ones wonder why I have a deep voice, but that’s it. »
When he presents story time, Sébastien Potvin takes a few minutes to explain what a drag queen is. “When they tell me it’s a man who dresses as a woman, I correct the shot. I explain that if I had wanted to dress as a woman, I would not have put on a big pink wig. I tell them about my costumes which are not disguises, I ask them if they like Halloween, obviously everyone raises their hands. After three minutes, everyone has understood and we dive into the tale. »
The children obviously have no references with the drag queens who work in the bars. They don’t hear the dirty jokes and the “acid-soaked puns” (as Aznavour puts it) that they exchange on stage. “Some adults make this amalgam: drag-bar-vulgar… vulgar-drag-kid… To this I reply that there are parents who allow their child to dress up as Batman, but refuse to let him watch the movies with this hero because they are too violent. It’s the same with drag queens. We can live in different universes. »
More and more drags are interfering in the world of children. The idea of the tale first appeared in the United States with The Drag Queen Story Hour. A few years ago, the Quebec public discovered the characters of Samantha Oops where two actors, wearing feminine clothes, personified Samantha and Chantal, two funny girls, fans of Jean-Luc Delarue.
But with these capsules offered on Tou.tv, we can say that Barbada is achieving a first in Quebec.
Sébastien Potvin has no theater training, but he considers his experience as a drag queen to be a great school.
It encompasses acting, singing, improvisation and dancing. Even if it doesn’t happen like in the theatre, you still create and play a character.
Sebastien Potvin
Before leaving Sébastien Potvin, I asked him if he had thought about the effect this character could have in his life if he ever became very popular with children. Would that imprison Barbada?
“Oh my god, I didn’t think about that for a second. But now that you tell me, I have cold sweats. If I’m going to be the kids’ drag queen, I’ll live with that. »
Barbadosfrom March 29 on Tou.tv