La Gacilly. Comedian Simon Cojean in residence at Artémisia before his show on February 22

“I will present, on February 22 at Artémisia, version 2 of my first show “100% salted butter””announces Simon Cojean. Last week, he took over the performance hall of the Gacilian cultural and events space for a week of artistic creation. “I am preparing two new shows: “Breton dance does not exist””, on which he actually worked at La Gacilly. “And at the same time, I’m also working on “200% salted butter”! »

Tourist guide in holiday villages

“When I was a tourist guide, my guided tours, instead of lasting 45 m, turned into a 2.5 hour show…”tells the story of the just thirty-year-old from Saint-Caradec in Côtes-d’Armor, now based in Clohars-Carnoët in South Finistère. Having worked in theater, working with children, “I worked for around ten years as a guide in holiday villages” from Brittany, from Erquy (22) to Landaul (56) via Sulniac (56). “I guided the groups from Mont-Saint-Michel to the pink granite coast, from Croisic to Quimper via Rochefort-en-Terre. »

The One Man Show school in Paris

This pleasure of making his audience laugh by inventing jokes about the failings of Bretons, he decided to make it his profession. “I went to train in Paris, at the One Man Show School. Very good training. » He wrote his first show, “100% salted butter”, in 2017. “I passed 100 performances last November. »

“Breton dance does not exist”

Another string to Simon Cojean’s bow: Breton dances. “I am a member of the Celtic circle Eostiged ar Stangala de Kerfeunteun”district of Quimper, multiple champion of Brittany. “In 2004, I saw a show about hip-hop dancing. I then said to myself that we had to do the same with Breton dance. 20 years later, it’s still not done. So I got started” a year and a half ago. The premiere of “Breton dance does not exist” will be performed on Sunday April 6 in Ergué-Gabéric, near Quimper.

“In April 2024, I spent a week in residence in Riec-sur-Belon (29) to dissect the text. » And another in Lesneven, recently.

The outside view of Gildas Puget

Simon Cojean is accompanied in this writing and directing work by Gildas Puget, “actor, author, co-author and artistic accompanist”describes the latter. It brings a “outside view” on the ideas of Simon Cojean: “I have worked on around fifty show projects in various fields, for dance, music, street art, circus troupes… I bring an outside perspective, getting closer to the actors on their characters »says the Rennes artist. “I don’t frequent Breton culture. When I discovered Breton dances while performing in a street show. I was struck by the obviousness of this music and dance designed for the outside world”continues the one who collaborated with Celtic circles.

Since 2018, Simon Cojean has been filming with his technician Stéphane Le Tallec, sound, lighting and video manager.

He dreams of playing in the 99 departments

Presented as a “One-Conference-Show” or conference show alone on stage, “La danse bretonne n’existent pas” aims to answer the questions that have been asked for years about the origins of the dances of Brittany, “with a touch of humor. I remain general and light: it’s a show, for fun”. Which does not prevent the comedian from bringing his audience to “a universalist reflection on popular dances” across the world. “The show is not reserved for Breton dance enthusiasts, it is aimed at all those who are interested in Breton culture and popular dances, in general”insists those who aspire “to play it in all French departments” !

“100% salted butter” show Saturday February 22 at 8:30 p.m. Admission €12, reduced €8. Reservations on www.artemisia-lagacilly.fr/

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