Certain periods of life are particularly happy; The birth of a grandchild is one of them. Mireille Deyglun, whose daughter Sophie just gave birth to her first child, is happy to take this step. The only downside: Alexander lives with his parents in Egypt. The actress still manages this distance well by increasing virtual exchanges with her family and planning occasional meetings.
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Mireille, we can see you on stage again shortly. It’s been a while!
As a matter of fact. I will be playing in Agatha Christie’s famous play They Were Ten, produced by La Comédie Humaine and Productions Martin Leclerc. The theater group had to close its doors during the pandemic. I was playing in The Imaginary Sick Man when we got interrupted. In There Were Ten I play the role of Miss Emily Grant, an argumentative and jealous spinster, which is the most fun! No matter what city we are in, we play for the students in the afternoon and for the adults in the evening. I think it’s important to play for teenagers. This is our future audience. The students are prepared: we place them in time, we talk to them about the author. I share the stage with great actors! We are very excited to be going on tour together. In this respect, I’m like my mother (the great actress Janine Sutto), who loved touring and meeting people.
We received the happy news: your daughter Sophie gave birth to a baby boy.
Yes, this transition from mother to daughter is extremely touching. We experienced this beautiful event as a family. I was with Sophie with Jean-François (Lépine, her husband) and Félix (her son) came to us. It’s very lucky. Being a grandmother is something! Several of my friends had informed me. Guylaine Tremblay even wrote to me that I now belong to the circle of Gaga grandmothers… (laughs) It’s true: I am!
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How did you experience your first meeting with the baby?
It’s incredible! We spent five and a half weeks in Egypt. I arrived there on July 20th. I wanted to be there before the birth, which was scheduled for August 13th. We rented a house by the sea so Sophie could enjoy her final moments of pregnancy. Then her doctor wanted her to return to Cairo because her due date was approaching. We spent another week by the sea, Jean-François and I. Finally, on August 11th, Sophie gave birth and I was in the hospital. It took a long time, but what a joy! We stayed with her until August 27th to help her. Jean-François was finishing his book, which will be published this fall. I spent my days with Sophie and the baby, Jean-François came to us after a few hours of work. It’s a shame Sophie is so far away…
What made your daughter want to live in Egypt?
Three years ago she fell in love with an extraordinary man whom she met at her best friend’s wedding. Andrew and Sophie had seen each other a year ago and remained in touch. During the wedding in October 2020, Sophie spent a few weeks there, came back here and left straight away.
Was it a loss for you to see her go so far away?
Yes, but at least we have access to a direct flight in the summer. A trip to Egypt takes a long time. The flight lasts 10.5 and 11 hours. Having children means knowing that one day you will have to let them go. It’s okay. I remember a time when Felix left the house. Sophie had moved to Australia to live for six months. It was wonderful to be reunited with my lover, to not have a fixed schedule, and to have the freedom to go out to a restaurant for dinner.
Is it ultimately a beautiful phase of life?
Yes, but it scared me because many couples break up as soon as the children are gone because they no longer have a foundation. For Jean-François and me that was not the case. As much as I am a real mother, I like this freedom that I have had for many years.
Photo: Bruno Petrozza
Are you able to keep in touch with Sophie despite the distance?
Yes, and thanks to technology we talk to each other every day. The little one sees me and hears my voice every day. She speaks to him in French, her father speaks to him in Arabic and my daughter and her partner speak to each other in English. The baby will therefore be trilingual.
When you left Egypt you must have left your daughter and grandson with a heavy heart…
On the plane, Jean-François asked me how I was doing. I wasn’t feeling well at all! I found it really difficult. After five and a half weeks with my daughter, I was happy to be home, but I was depressed. Life goes on, but it was difficult for me to return.
Do you plan to visit Sophie and her family regularly?
They will come for Christmas. After that, I’ll be on tour until May 12th, so I won’t be able to visit. We are looking forward to Christmas! Until then we’ll all be very busy. We plan to see each other at least twice a year. It’s difficult even for Felix. He came to Egypt for a week and was very moved to hold his godson in his arms.
They await this phase with joy, even if for some it is associated with age.
Yes, and if my disposition is to be believed, my mother found it difficult to grow old at 90 … I am 65 years old. I am very proud to be my age. I don’t see any problem with getting older if you stay active in your mind and body. My mother remains a great role model for me. Thanks to my sister Catherine, she was an incredible force of nature! When my sister died, we told ourselves that she would either “crash” or resurface. She had the strength to get back up. Then the Belles-sœurs musical theater in Paris came into his life. It’s like coming full circle… I was there for ten days and we went out every night. It was great. My mother had a feeling of celebration!
It is fortunate that your children knew your mother and that your grandchild in turn had the chance to get to know you!
It’s very moving. I have always said that my mother is not a mother. She was an actress but a very good grandmother. With this status we have no parental responsibility. My children were very close to her. I hope my grandchildren will be just as close to me… This is a big step. We have to enjoy happiness when it is there…
The trip There were ten starts on October 13th at the Hector-Charland Theater, in L’Assomption.
The new book My Chinese teacher’s fearsby Jean-François Lépine, is published by Libre Expression.