What was your first feeling when you learned that it was you who were going to play Frédérique “Babe” Houseman in the musical “Dirty Dancing”?
To be completely honest, when the casting director told me, I didn't believe it. And after: intense happiness. It's a dream come true. I was also relieved because the audition process to get there was long and intense. It's my daily life to go to castings and also to receive refusals. So, when the answer is positive, it’s a pretty unique joy.
What does Emile Arnolino's film represent in your eyes?
I'm a fan! I watched it very young and it is a reference for me. It's a legendary film. And I recognize myself a lot in the character of Bébé. The more I work on it, the more I recognize myself in it.
Your resemblance to Jennifer Gray is uncanny. Is this an advantage or an additional constraint to make us forget the iconic actress of the film?
I didn't particularly think about it. I'm not trying to make Jennifer Gray forget, and I won't be able to, anyway! I prefer to focus on the character. It's an honor to play him, so I try to give my best to be up to the task.
How do you prepare yourself physically and mentally for such a demanding role?
We've been in rehearsal for four weeks, seven days a week, and it's very intense. Mentally, I go through a lot of emotions but I am very well supervised. Everyone is caring. Physically, the first few weeks were painful, but now my body has gotten the hang of it.
What can you tell us about the work of director Federico Bellone?
He offers in Paris exactly the same version as the English version but this time in French. We follow point by point the staging of the musical which was performed in London last year. This is not at all the same version as what was presented in France in 2015 and 2018.
Briton Michael O'Reilly played Johnny Castle for more than five years and took intensive French courses for six months to be able to play the role in the musical in France. What inspires you?
Lots of admiration! It's quite a challenge for him because he didn't speak French at all six months ago. It's inspiring. And at the same time, he knows the show and his character perfectly. I think it's a plus, in the relationship between Johnny and Baby, that he has a slight accent. These are characters who come from different worlds and the fact that we do not have the same culture creates an additional dimension to each of the two roles.
What is your favorite moment from the musical?
The whole end dance with the lift is iconic but my favorite scene is Baby's monologue speaking to her father. He is her world at the beginning and, gradually, she learns to deconstruct her relationship with him to realize that there is another reality. By meeting Johnny, she makes a real transition, she goes from young girl to woman.
Douarnenez is my refuge, where I can rediscover the love of simple things
You played Marty in the concert version of the musical “Grease.” So you’re not new to the genre, but what was your biggest challenge for “Dirty Dancing”?
I think it’s still dance. This is the first time I've been involved in such a big production, so the show itself is a huge challenge. The choreography is so legendary that we have to live up to the spectators' expectations.
You are from Douarnenez, in Finistère. What does this city mean to you? Do you come back regularly?
It's home! My whole family is made up of purebred Douarnenists. I lived there for 18 years of my life and I come back as soon as possible because my parents live here. It's my refuge, where I can rediscover the love of simple things.
What is the first thing you do when you settle down in the Penn Sardin city?
I'm going to see the sea because it's the thing I miss the most when I'm in Paris. I didn't realize its importance to me when I lived in Douarnenez. How lucky the Douarnenists are to live facing the ocean!
* “Now, I've had the time of my life” are the first lyrics of the cult song “Dirty Dancing”, by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.
France
