Un Funny fish runs between Atlantic Ciné’s armchairs, Friday, January 24, in Saintes. The silver scales of the costumes hang the lights of the spots. We assume glitter and facet balls! The “pop” letters flash above the scene, while four musicians set off to attack “Waterloo”. “Pop Song sings Abba”, announces the troop in one voice, before immersing itself in the repertoire of the Scandinavian group.
Their pleasure is palpable. It has been more than two years since amateur choristers dissect the implacable melodies of Abba relentlessly. They are from 29 to 69 years old, with very different profiles, but tonight, it’s only one body that waves at Atlantic Ciné. “It is not a classic choir, we are not static, with her singing book. We sing and dance at the same time. It is a big job, but that happiness in the end, ”enthuses Mathilde Longefay, 38.
The choristers worked on the songs and choreographies for more than two years.
Laurent Jahier / SO
“In motion”
The choir head, Pascale Girardeaux, radiates in the middle of her flock. Pianist and singer by training, she combines an interpreter career, piano lessons, workshops in schools and the animation of Song choir, which will celebrate her 20th anniversary in November 2025. Under the warden of the Vocalis association, She supervises a group of 85 choristers of all levels, with a predilection for song and French variety, and “moving” performances.
Laurent Jahier / SO
Pascale Girardeaux, on the right, integrated into the choir.
In June 2022, she saw a Choir of college students from La Rochelle seized the pieces of Abba. The Pop Song project hatched overnight. “I realized that I knew all the songs, without having discs at home. It’s great, it’s bright, it sings, it moves! I immediately saw the costumes in my head, the kind with which we are not going to Leclerc with! Pascale Girardeaux formed a group of 34 more experienced choristers, including nine men. They are accompanied by four professional musicians, former accomplices of the late Ronnie Carryl.
“I immediately saw the costumes in my head, the kind with which we are not going to Leclerc with!” »»
-
Laurent Jahier / SO
Four professional musicians interpret live songs.
In search of places
Everything is played live, only tubes! The English accent sounds a little Frenchy but the passion has no border. Pascale Girardeaux has integrated a few couplets in French which make it possible to better grasp the heart stories so well bewitched by Abba. Big fan, producer Alain Abril provides the support of his label, Carrefour de Talents, and wants to program it in his project aimed at investing in rural holidays.
Laurent Jahier / SO
The show filled a 330 -seat room in Saintes, and as much in Royan on Sunday.
Laurent Jahier / SO
The choristers appreciate the choreographic dimension of the staging.
After a first salvo in Saintes in March 2024, the show finally launched. The date of Saintes had been full since mid-December. There is no longer a place for the concert in Royan, this Sunday, January 26, with the Soroptimist. In the Mathes room on March 8, it is already three -quarters filled. “We were impatient!” “Stretchs Corine Augé, president of Vocalis. “Now we are looking for places to welcome us. We would like to run the show for two or three years. We have set up a production assistance file from the department so that the municipalities can buy it more easily. »»
