Philippe Lellouche | The nostalgic fifty-year-old

French actor Philippe Lellouche was in Montreal to promote his first solo show Stand Alonewhich will be presented on October 8 at the Olympia in Montreal and October 9 at the Théâtre Capitole in Quebec.

Philippe Lellouche (older brother of actor Gilles Lellouche) enjoys great success in France as an actor, author and director, particularly with his plays The Truth Game 1 And 2, which brought crowds to the four corners of the country. He arrives in Quebec on tiptoe, he says, because Quebec is, in his eyes, a place where there is so much talent and know-how in humor that it is inspiring.

Stand Alone is a one man show filled with nostalgia where the 58-year-old author, actor and director remembers the good old days in the 1970s and 1980s when his father smoked in the car, windows closed, without seat belts, a time when we all watched the same thing on the three television channels, where we slow danced, where there was a carefreeness, where ultimately everything was more joyful. Could Philippe Lellouche be a little reactionary?

“It’s true that I regret this more carefree period. When we were children, those we called the reactors were the not very funny guys who demanded more order and security, and today we are called reactors because we want more freedoms ! “, he said during our meeting.

Jean-Michel Anctil involved

It is Jean-Michel Anctil who will adapt the show for Quebec and will sign the artistic direction. “Jean-Michel Anctil will adapt the vocabulary and situations that are too French. For example, there is a moment when I talk about the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, I know very well that this subject does not cross the Atlantic… here you have Valérie Plante who also really likes bicycles, especially at -20, so I won’t bother! “, he said.

And the title? Stand Alone ? Don’t we change it? ” I know I know ! I wanted to show off in Las Vegas, I’m in show business, I’m doing a one man showso it’s Stand Alone ! I know, it’s my French side! », he exclaims. “It’s also a way of telling the public who are used to seeing me in plays that this time, I am alone on stage. And the other reason is that everyone doesn’t care about the titles of the one man shows ! We don’t say I went to see Stand Alone, they say I went to see Philippe Lellouche! “.

Surprisingly, Philippe Lellouche began his career as a journalist at TF1 then on France 2 on the show Correspondent. “Journalist, actor, screenwriter, director, writer, it’s the same job, we tell stories. I love telling stories… I had to be an actor playing journalist! Maybe I also had too much ego! “, he said, laughing.

What fascinates him in Montreal, on an artistic, human and architectural level, is the mixture of the two worlds. “There is old Europe, old buildings and suddenly a New York building appears. And in humor, this American and European mix makes you unique, but above all, you are extraordinary storytellers. »

“I come here because for the French, crossing the Atlantic is great,” he continues, “it’s a beautiful journey and it’s a necessary step in the Francophonie. »

For several days, he has also observed our sense of welcome and the good mood surrounding us. “ Good morning ! How are you ? Welcome to Quebec ! No one welcomes you like that in France! The French have become snobbish, annoying and sad. This spontaneity, this cheerfulness here is really wonderful. »

Stand Alone

October 8 at the Olympia in Montreal, and October 9 at the Théâtre Capitole in Quebec