Live from The voice have a special flavor this season, because the production called on none other than Serge Denoncourt to stage the various numbers. Its purpose is mainly to stimulate and enrich the stage presence of the contestants and guests during the last four live broadcasts.
“I’m not here to add nonsense,” he explained in an interview. I try to accompany the artists in their artistic approach, and to stage the atmosphere, the emotion and the visual of their song. I don’t add too much stuff, I focus more on the light, the environment and the direction of the performers.”
All this staging work is, of course, prepared jointly with director Jill Niquet-Joyal. “The guiding idea is to create emotion, not necessarily the ‘wow’.”
Last year, Serge Denoncourt presented a carte blanche number at a gala Star Academy. His work is completely different this time around. “For the carte blanche, I had fun with a repertoire that I like. AT The voice, I accompany the candidates and I stage their universe, not mine. Arrived at the direct, we know that they have beautiful voices, this subject is settled. Now, how do I make the visual, the coating and the interpretation take them further? It’s the musical director who comes into play.”
Rely on the narrative
Denoncourt first looked at what is being done everywhere else, whether at the Grammys, the Victoires de la Musique or in England, to build the trends for the season. “Everything becomes more graphic on TV. Filling the frame is no longer necessary, we focus more on what we put in the frame. There was a whole reflection, but we must not dream either, we must remain within the codes of the show, which nevertheless have the right to evolve. It’s really exciting.”
And since he works with up-and-coming artists, consultation and exchange are essential. “I don’t try to erase the personalities of the candidates, we work together. I don’t want to unify the numbers. We saw it last Sunday, we travel from one universe to another throughout the evening. The contestants were allowed to say if they hated it, but they seem pretty happy.”
Stay relevant
Working with young artists to push them to surpass themselves is what Serge Denoncourt has been doing for years. “I also give them little lessons in interpretation, intensity, presence and charisma. I think that’s why the production called me. I act like a little coaching additional. At 20, they do not necessarily know their limits, I push them to surpass themselves.
If the director loves being in contact with the young generation, it is because he gets a freshness from them that prevents him from aging. “I am 60 years old and there, I am in contact with young people who are 18-20 years old, am I still relevant, do I understand them, can I highlight them ? It seems so. It’s easy for a guy my age to keep up with his times by hanging out with younger people. If I was doing my uncle’s business, they would tell me right away.”
A busy schedule
In addition to live from The voice, Serge Denoncourt works on a host of projects around the world. “I have a show playing in France, another project in development there. I also have a project for Rome and another for Broadway.
He is also directing the musical Hatewhich will be presented this summer, in Montreal, on the occasion of the Just for Laughs festival.
“I am very excited to put on this show. I find it interesting to see young people who are almost going to play their grandparents and who ask the question: did this revolution work? And the answer is no. But it’s interesting to see what’s left of that. In addition, the music is good, we will trip throughout the show.
The quarter-finals of The voice continue this Sunday, at 7:30 p.m., on TVA.