They are only a handful throughout the world to keep the tradition of shadow theater alive. And the French Philippe Beau is number. He is at TOHU, then at Diamant in Quebec, to present Magic of shadows… and other tricksa spectacle imbued with beauty, but which could use some dusting off.
Both at TOHU and at Le Diamant, this show without words is part of the Spring Break program for families, especially those with young elementary-school children.
However, Philippe Beau’s show does not manage to fully reach this family audience, despite the immense technical qualities of the ombromania numbers. With only his two palms and ten fingers, this artist manages to create the most fantastic shapes: a dromedary, a frog that turns into a prince, a sea turtle or a galloping horse. For children (and their parents), identifying the shapes that spring up on the big screen remains a great pleasure.
The appearance of a cat licking its paw sounds oh! softened. When the hands contort to become Darth Vader, the applause is well felt. The shadow games are sometimes funny, sometimes poetic, but always mastered to perfection.
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
The specialist in ombromania gives birth to the most fantastic creatures with his contorted hands.
The problem is that between each number, a text is projected in the background to explain how cinema and magic (especially that of shadows) have always been interrelated. Philippe Beau thus summons Georges Méliès, the Lumière brothers and even Segundo de Chomón. It also presents short films where these magicians of the image of the last century managed to bluff their audience.
Only, these names do not mean much to children. In this era where cinema is constantly pushing the limits of special effects, these films with their old-fashioned charm end up getting tired.
In addition, they often serve as an introduction to the conjuring acts that will follow. Because Philippe Beau is also an illusionist experienced in card tricks, dollars that appear behind the ears, cut cords that sew themselves back together. We scratch our heads wondering where the trick is, but we still say to ourselves that we have seen this dozens of times in others…
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
The artist Philippe Beau remains quite distant in his relationship with the public.
In fact, the magician has been rolling with this show for at least 10 years (he presented it at TOHU in 2015) and seems to be putting on his numbers on autopilot, without showing the slightest emotion. His contact with the spectators remains very cold, distant. His only attempt to get closer to the Montreal public goes through a clumsy number where he recreates with his hands the heads of Quebec politicians. The resemblance is hardly striking and the speech excerpts weigh down the atmosphere (not to mention that the children are hardly moved by hearing the voices of Justin Trudeau, Valérie Plante or Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois)!
It is all the same when he plays with shadow and light that Philippe Beau is most convincing. His final number, where he gives birth to favorite characters from the cinema, is very successful. Too bad for those who left before the end, probably because the children couldn’t hold on to this slow-paced show.
Magic of shadows… and other tricks
At TOHUUntil March 4 and at Le Diamant from March 9 to 12