Itinéraire d’un danseur grassouillet - Thomas Lebrun / Cie Illico

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Thomas Lebrun / Cie Illico

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First production - Dance

Performances 5-10 March 2009 at 9pm (no performances on the 8th)

How many fat dancers are there? Have you ever met a fat former dancer? Do you find it normal to see fat dancers? What do you look at in a dancer? A dancer must have a pretty face, sure, but most importantly a great body, because it is his/her body we look at. I mean, it needs to somewhat be an object of fantasy, right? And a “fat” body is not a source of fantasy, since we don’t want to be fat ourselves. Do spectators ask themselves these questions? Thomas Lebrun is a dancer… he is seen, and he regards himself, as fat. He also is very talented and full of humour. This is why he has invited us to attend his documentary conference on a dancer with excess weight. This dance show takes the form of a hilarious manifesto against physical “normality”.

“To laugh or make others laugh is not always seen as real artistic work, real writings, especially in the field of dance. I claim that the opposite is true.” Thomas Lebrun

In the general and specialised press: ’’Slightly chubby...’’ (La Croix, 2007, S. Lesort)

’’Jo“With a surprising physique for a dancer...’’ (20 Minutes, 2005, P. Verrièle)

’’[...] despite his chubby side, his attributes have made him a popular and recognised dancer.’’ (Danser,

2004, B. Bonis)

And from the public: ’’You’re a dancer?... I wouldn’t have guessed!’’ / ’’It must be hard for you to jump so high!’’

’’This costume is not exactly flattering on you!’’ / ’’You still manage to be so light, so soft with it!’’

See synopsis (pdf in french/60kb)

See press book (pdf in french/396kb)

See flyer (pdf in french/404 kb)

See poster (pdf in french/1,1 mo)

See video report of "Questions en ligne" of France 3

How did this project come to life?

Thomas Lebrun: I started dancing as a mere enthusiast when I was 7, and everybody was laughing at me because I was a boy and I always looked daft in the costumes. It was hard to accept. In any situation, when the fatty comes on stage it makes everybody laugh. When I decided to audition for the Conservatory’s “Gold Medal”, I had to wear a blue standard-issue leotard. At the time I must have weighed about a hundred kilos. I was asked to wear a belt to hold my belly when I ran, but I couldn’t move anymore because the belt was cutting me in half. As soon as I bent down, I was stuck in the belly rolls that were forming on top of the belt. For the freestyle solo, I had a nice black silk costume, which cracked open and I ended up with my thigh and a bit of my bottom making an exit during the exam... I hadn’t even realised. I still passed and I was very proud: I thought even fat people can have the Gold Medal! I was promoting my shape in a way. Even today, as a professional, people keep banging on about it. Contemporary dance is supposed to be open to all, but this is not always the case, whatever the level you’re at.

Is the show a way of settling a few scores?

TL: A fat dancer is immediately scoffed at, but I’m sure there would be a lot more if they were allowed to dance. In the main dance schools, you’re constantly told you need to be slim to look good on stage.

But a fat dancer can be beautiful, can’t he?

TL: Of course! But people first need to let him/her feel beautiful. And you hear so often that fat is ugly and that you shouldn’t be that way, that it becomes difficult to be of generous proportions.

Is this journey what you would like to depict?

TL: I would like to show it, of course, but maybe not in a narrative style. I would rather set up situations, little stories.

Dance situations?

TL: There will be a lot of dancing, but also little debates, round tables [laughs], with supporting evidence. These situations will bring about issues that we may or may not talk about, as more often than not people do not discuss these things. A fat dancer is a taboo subject.

Is your aim to change how people look at you or to be self-deprecatory?

TL: Both. I don’t think my show will change people’s opinions. But it might raise awareness, and maybe embarrass people a little. When I talk to professionals, I often hear “Oh, I don’t really like funny stuff” even before they see it. Humour is supposedly easy to do. To laugh or make others laugh is not always seen as real artistic work, real creation, especially in the field of dance. I claim that the opposite is true.

Do you feel like this show is a risky venture compared to your usual work?

TL: Not really, no. It is a committed, eccentric show, where subtlety is not the most obvious. I have stopped trying to look beautiful when I dance. I have been asked for along time to be attractive, but my body is both a strength and a weakness. That being said, with the body I have, I still manage to work as a dancer and to enjoy it.

And to get other people to like you?

TL: Yes, and for various other reasons. One minute of dancing can generate many interpretations. For me, the difficulty is when you try to be as close as possible to what you feel like achieving, while being open to being surprised and take a new direction. I have ideas at the start of the project, but everything depends on the reaction of the audience.

The initial idea was to develop a “danced conference”. Is it going to be the case in this show?

TL: Absolutely. There will be a professional critic, but he will be dancing too. The stage will have two parts: one for the debate and one for the show itself. There will be direction, and a text to follow, but it won’t be purely choreographed, it will be a little like role-play… In any case we will at all times have our gear on and we’ll be ready to dance! It will be playful, but that’s not all. It will be entertaining and pathetic.

Why pathetic?

TL: Because I want it to be! For many people, it’s pathetic to be a fat dancer and to have fun with it. It is seen as being overtly extrovert and it can make people cringe or be seen as pushy. However, the body as it is always drives the way we dance. Whether you are fat, plump, or skinny, it’s your baggage, your raw material.