The pianist of the Walloon Cabaret says he can no longer stand “the spirit that reigns within the Company”. Philippe De Smet joined Cabaret Wallon in 1991 and chaired it for 12 years.
Thunderbolt in the world of patois song: Philippe De Smet announced this Wednesday morning that he was ceasing his activities within the Royale Compagnie du Cabaret Wallon Tournaisien. He has been accompanying singers as a pianist for nearly 35 years.
Philippe De Smet reports “diverging views” both on the operation and the spirit of the company. “For a long time, it was a pleasure for me to be at the cabaret, lately, I went there with lead feet,” Philippe De Smet confides to us. I no longer find the family spirit that I liked so much. It’s become a group of friends who go and drink beers together. »
This brings us to the other complaint put forward by the pianist: the lack of professionalism. “The quality is no longer there and that saddens me,” he continues. There is clearly a lack of work, the texts are finished at the last minute, there are too few rehearsals. » Philippe De Smet also tolerated less and less “the regular criticism” from members of the Cabaret towards the Filles Celles Picardes, in which his wife officiates.
Philippe De Smet tried to discuss these different elements with President Jonathan Delforge, but in vain. “The dialogue was broken off by the president who refused any conciliatory approach,” he wrote in a press release. The ideal is no longer there. The flame is extinguished. » He is all the more upset because he was the godfather of Jonathan Delforge, when the latter took his first steps at the Walloon Cabaret.
At the Walloon Cabaret since 1991
He had joined the company as a midshipman in 1991 and was “kicked” the following year. A rather discreet pianist, Philippe De Smet played a decisive role within the Walloon Cabaret. It was in fact he who was elected president in 1996, after the abrupt departure of Lucien Jardez. The troop could then have completely faltered but Philippe De Smet managed to revive it, with the support of personalities like Jean-Pierre Verbeke, René Godet or Eric Genty as well as the contribution of new recruits.
“I keep the good memories of all these years at Cabaret,” adds Philippe De Smet. “Maybe I’m getting older and I’m not adapting. But it’s a bit of a shame to end up like this.”
The Walloon Cabaret has another pianist-accompanist, in the person of Daniel Budke. It is therefore he who should officiate at the small cabarets at the end of January. Although he will no longer play for the Walloon Cabaret, Philippe De Smet will continue to perform as a musician for local associations, church factories and for the City of Tournai.
C.D.C.
