“I am like a kid, this universe has always fascinated me”: in the footsteps of Monsieur Loyal at the Christmas Circus, in Toulouse

In the little corner that serves as his dressing room in the artists’ entrance, a quarter of an hour before the start of the show, Monsieur Loyal hangs his wide tie on his white shirt, puts on his shiny black shoes and buttons his white vest. A quick swab to mop his forehead, and he leaves the backstage of the Christmas Circus, impeccable in his tuxedo, ready to welcome the audience with a warm: “How are you, gentlemen, ladies and children?”
This Thursday afternoon, the red and white marquee installed in the Hippodrome car park in Toulouse is once again full. While waiting for the 1,600 spectators to take their seats in the stands, Monsieur Loyal, alias Pierre Galibert, organizes a game with the children to keep them waiting. The lucky winner will leave with a glow stick.

After this first introduction, Monsieur Loyal is back behind the scenes where the artist who will open the show has just arrived. This is the antipodist Adriana, a virtuoso of juggling with her feet. While she warms up, Pierre Galibert swaps his black jacket for a red one, a sign that the start of the show is imminent. Also a sign that he has entered the costume of the ringmaster, the conductor. He is now Ringmaster. His role? “Liaison behind the scenes, check that all the apparatus and ring boys are ready, explain certain numbers and above all magnify the artists and set the atmosphere,” he announces, with stars in his eyes.

“Clap them again, again and again”

Juggling with the feet, lasso, Washington trapeze, Cyr’s wheel, clown acts… the feats follow one another under the amazed eye of the public. During these two hours of show, the master of ceremonies encourages the public to applaud “again, again and again” these circus performers, some of whom take a lot of risks despite the fluidity of their movements to impress the gallery. He also happens to take part in the show when he pretends to be angry with the clown Alan who comes to disturb the performance “for the greatest happiness of the children”.

Imperturbable, Monsieur Loyal goes back and forth between the shadows and the light, while the circus performers come and go under the big top. “We all know the show by the music. Each artist knows precisely their moment of entry on stage” , explains Pierre Galibert.

This does not prevent him from having one eye permanently glued to the time because Monsieur Loyal is also the master of time. “We have to manage the schedule well so as not to overwhelm because we have another show at 5 p.m. and then at 8 p.m. Stringing together three performances “that are both strictly identical and terribly different” in the same afternoon requires a lot of energy. . “I don’t feel this repetitive side at all, nor the weariness. Even though the show is well established and rests on the shoulders of the artists, I am still excited. It’s nice to go and speak in front of 1,600 enthusiastic people. The marquees are packed to the brim, I love that,” admits the host.

“He is the only Frenchman in this cosmopolitan troupe”

In this very cosmopolitan troupe which includes around thirty “very high quality” artists, Pierre Galibert is the only Frenchman among Italians, Spaniards, North Americans, Brazilians, Cubans, Colombians, Peruvians, Argentinians, Czechs, Ukrainians …

Known for his career as a radio and television host, Pierre Galibert has always been a great lover of ephemeral marquees. For this winter season, he was once again hired by the Toulouse Christmas circus to perform the 20 dates in the ringmaster costume. A role that he loves.” Since I was a child, I’ve dreamed of that. Monsieur Loyal is the name of the first circus presenter in France. This term is specific to France. Elsewhere, we say master of ceremonies. I’ve been doing this for 2 years, this universe fascinates me, I’m like a kid,” he assures.