Michel Barrette will return to the stage next year One word, one story, A tour for which the comedian gives up stand-up to devote himself again to improvisation and his talents as a storyteller.
In theory, Michel Barrette should have retired next November. With the final performance of “The Humor of My Life,” his twelfth one-man show in his career, he was actually ready to say goodbye to the stage.
But the comedian quickly realized he would miss the boards too much after spending 40 years treading them.
“I won’t do a one-man show anymore; I’m 66 years old and the idea of writing, doubting, rehearsing, doubting again, preparing for a premiere, the stress of a performance… I don’t want that at all anymore. But I could never stop telling stories,” says Michel Barrette in an interview with the Journal.
Unique encounters
It was precisely this idea that sparked “A Word, a Story”. From February next year, Michel Barrette will be back on tour, performing 21 shows over a 10-month period. In each city, a different personality is waiting on stage to lead a discussion in front of an audience. On the program: anecdotes, confidences, reflections, gags… in short, the comedian doesn’t know yet. Because he lets himself be led by the master of ceremonies every evening.
“I don’t intend to make people laugh at any cost. My only goal is to be interesting,” he concludes.
Of course, these masters of ceremonies include renowned interviewers such as Jean-Philippe Dion and Marie-Claude Barrette. But personalities from different backgrounds have also agreed to take part in the game: singers of the caliber of Serge Fiori, Jean-François Breau and Patrice Michaud will take on this task, as will the athlete Marianne St-Gelais and comedian. Mike Ward, Alexandre Barrette and Mathieu Dufour will also lead the performances of “Un mot, une histoire”.
“Without network”
Viewers also have the opportunity to submit their own questions before each performance. The goal: to create unique and, above all, improvised encounters. The masters of ceremonies have a free hand regarding the questions and topics they want to discuss with Michel Barrette.
“I don’t want to know in advance what questions they’re going to ask me. I chose people I don’t know very well – there are even some I’ve never met! – just to have no idea where they want to take me. So we can talk about anything. I won’t be able to fall back on a pre-written text, so I’ll start without the network. And that’s the exciting thing,” says the man who grew up in the world of improvisation.
Back to the game?
As soon as the “One Word, One Story” tour is over, Michel Barrette finally wants to distance himself from stardom in order to go into a well-deserved retirement. However, he does not hide his desire to return to the profession of actor, in which he sporadically shined throughout his career.
“It’s been a long time since I played. I want more dramatic projects than comedies. I want to go somewhere else, a little bit away from the tank guy making jokes, and tap into the darker parts of myself,” he says.
- The “Un mot, une histoire” tour begins February 2nd in Granby. For all appointments: michelbarrette.ca.