The actor who will be part of the cast of the play Free visit 2.0talks to us about summer theatre, his 45 years in the business and the passions that fuel him.
Marcel Leboeuf was thrilled to tell us about Visite libre 2.0 by Michel Charette and François Chénier, presented this summer at the Théâtre des Hirondelles. In this play, the actor plays different characters.
“It reminds me a bit of the style of the works from the 1980s. There were plays with several characters, including Broue, who created a fashion. So it’s a bit of a reminder of that. When I opened my summer theater in 1989, the actors were asked to play four or five roles,” Marcel Leboeuf tells us, pleased that the makers of the play thought of him.
“I am excited to perform in this play this summer. I sold my theater in 2004. Sometimes I miss it a bit. But fortunately for me there are summer parts. It helps me to keep a financial balance. You have to earn your living!”
Marcel Leboeuf has had a good bond with Michel Charette and François Chénier, the authors of the play, for several years: “We played together on Ladies Night for a long time, so we have a 20-year bond. Since Ladies Night we’ve been telling each other for a long time that we want to do something together again.
And the Open Day 2.0 is here. The timing was perfect.”
more Zen
For Marcel Leboeuf, performing summer theater is like being at home.
“I can’t wait to show people what we’ve been practicing. At first I was rather panicky at the thought of going on stage, but today that’s not the case anymore. For me it’s like my mother calling me to eat soup. He has achieved this zenith with his 45 years of activity. A career he will not regret at all.
“As with everyone, there are strong moments, others weaker. There are times when I question myself. Am I doing the right thing? After 45 years I know I’m in the right place. However, he admits that getting a role on screen has become increasingly difficult as the years have gone by. “I’ll be 69 this summer. People my age are less in demand. On TV, it’s mostly actors in their 20’s, 30’s, 40’s and 50’s. After that it eases off a bit.
However, the comedian has other passions besides acting. “I always have a project. I don’t limit myself to my job, which I love. I give conferences, I have a small vineyard and a sugar shack. I don’t make a fortune from it, but it keeps me busy and alive,” he tells us. Also, he always has maple butter in his car since Michel Charette declared on his social media that it was the best!
Play with your spouse
In addition to summer theater, we can see Marcel Leboeuf in L’île Kilucru where he plays Trollilo. “I love acting on children’s shows. And since I’m playing a troll, I can do anything as long as I respect the language level. And the kids recognize me.” His wife, Lise Martin, interprets Dalia. This character made him want to create his own show. “My girlfriend has been performing in schools for a year and a half. Her name is Lili Mallette and she arrives with her suitcases, which are for decoration. She does a 20 minute performance about self-esteem and accepting differences. Then she stays with the youngsters for an hour, who all make a job out of the show. She’s the one who built it all.
We can also see the actor in the third season of the series Les bracelets rouges on TVA.
The play Visite libre 2.0 will be performed from June 16th to August 26th at the Théâtre des Hirondelles in Saint-Mathieu-de-Beloeil.