They are between 9 and 12 years old, are called Raphaël, Manon or Aurore, and tread the boards of large Parisian theaters, play comedy in front of hundreds of people, sometimes in the evening. Their presence brings renewed emotion and freshness to the stories told.
“A certain magic enthuses Alexis Michalik. With the children, there is an immediate aspect, obvious to the spectator, they are children who play the roles of children, there is no artifice ", continues the director, who plays three young people actresses for a role in her new play, "A love story", currently at La Scala.
This extra soul is the reward for those who, despite the administrative constraints, absolutely wanted to play brats. “It was a huge challenge, but it was worth it. It was this living side that prompted me to put on this play, ”explains Eléonore Joncquez, who stages“ La vie trépidante de Brigitte Tornade ”, at the Théâtre Tristan-Bernard. On stage, Brigitte Tornade, whom she performs, has three Tornado children. Real ones. Guaranteed result.
Double or even triple distribution
These children have their dressing room in the basement. Covered with drawings, little words and poems, the mirrors say a lot about the occupants of the place. Here, it is the universe of Raphaël, Clémence and Aurore, the “group A” which plays on Tuesday and Friday. Three little blond heads overexcited at the idea of talking to us. They alternate this piece with Tim, Eugénie and Paloma, but also with Emilie, Juliette and Lucas. The other two trios of children from the play that is playing until the end of February.
As with this family chronicle, as crazy as it is realistic, it often takes a double, or even a triple distribution, to be able to perform. "Children cannot work more than three times a week," says Eléonore Joncquez (see box below) . Among other obligations, they must have half of the school holidays. With the production of juggling, then. "For these holidays, we are forced to do three breaks in a week," notes the director.
Having only half the vacation, no matter for the little actors. "It's fun, it's like a vacation," says 12-year-old Grégoire, who plays Jules Verne in the eponymous musical by Nicolas Nebot and Dominique Mattei currently at the Edouard-VII Theater. I really want to play and sing, it doesn't bother me. "
Besides, it's not really work. Well, yes, but "it's more pleasant to work when you like", underlines Manon, 11, who plays the little sister of the said Jules Verne. “It's amazing to make people dream. We want to do that, to make people dream, ”continues Grégoire. "If I were not at the theater, I would be cooked, because I would be bored," slips their accomplice William, 9 years old, with a malicious look.
"The hardest part is making emotions"
At the Tristan-Bernard Theater, Christelle fulfills a primordial role: theater nanny. The name makes her smile. "But there is that," she admits. My role is to welcome them, to make them dress, then to hold them, she says spontaneously. At the edge of the stage, we have our little corner, I manage costume changes there, and when they don't play, I occupy them, with drawings for example, while staying alert so as not to miss when it's their. "And be silent and listen a little," says the stage manager, amused. "Well, they are children. You have to manage their concentration and prevent them from making too much noise, ”smiles Christelle.
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How is it then to play on stage? " Very good ! "Mega good!" "The most difficult thing is not to learn your text, but to make emotions," thinks Aurore, 11 years old. Make the right tones, ”agrees Clémence, her 9-year-old sister. "In the room, we don't have too much text, but when the adults speak, we have to do things," continues the little girl. We have to have expressions, that's the hardest part. "But in the comments, he often wrote that it was a good idea to have children," rejoices Raphaël. That means we play well. "
If they mostly follow artistic training, it is for everyone a first professional experience. First steps that parents observe with pride and emotion. And accompany. No show without strong parental involvement, it's a rule. “It's part of our job. Others take them to sport, to music ... We are all aware that it is a great experience, a chance, there are zero constraints and it is a joy to see him happy on stage, "says Valérie, the mother of Raphaël, who lives in Asnières (Hauts-de-Seine).
The parents of Clémence and Aurore come from Sartrouville (Yvelines). "One hour return and one hour return when there are no yellow vests, strikes, or suspicious packages," blows Gilles, the father of the girls enrolled in the Florent classes. During the strikes, we managed, we fulfilled our commitments as parents. "
Small artists very much framed by law
The rule of French law is very simple: the work of children under the age of 16 is prohibited, unless there is an exception. No child under the age of 9 can climb on the boards. And in the evening, it is prohibited, except for exceptions from 8 p.m. to midnight. Kids shouldn't perform more than three times a week, and work more than three or four hours a day, depending on age.
As for school holidays, they must benefit from half of it, from Monday to Sunday. In addition to the interview with the person examining the file and a medical examination, an interview with a psychologist or an examination of the work may be requested. School results are closely monitored. As for the fees of young actors, who must comply with the same collective agreement as adults and cannot be less than the minimum - around 95 euros gross per performance - they will be paid into an account at the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations, a nest egg which will be available to the majority of the child