That was exactly a year ago.
Michou disappeared on January 26, 2020. Twelve months after his death, Sylvio Bolinio is selling his latex puppet for 18,000 euros.
A life-size doll, dressed like the artist, with the costume and glasses that belonged to Michou.
Enough to revive festive moments while Chez Michou, like all cabarets in France, is closed because of the Covid.
Sylvio Bolinio is a mime in life.
He imitated Charlot for 30 years and puts himself in the shoes of Rigolo, a clown follower at events and street arts festivals.
“I was surprised that the Guignols de l'Info hadn't thought of greeting him, I chose to do so because Michou was unusual and atypical.
»The blue prince of Montmartre authorizes Sylvio to create this doll with an articulated mouth to sing in playback.
Its manufacture required 360 hours of work.
The doll was modeled by the puppeteer Jean-Michel Guinand.
When Sylvio arrives at the cabaret with her, one evening in 2008, Michou drops his glass of champagne in surprise.
"He wept with emotion," he recalls fondly.
He was happy that someone was laying a tender look with a touch of elegance on him.
This puppet reminded him of his youth when he performed on the Croisette.
His eyes still lit when he saw her.
"
Recordings of the artist's debut sold with
Sylvio Bolinio ensured the nostalgia parenthesis at Michou, before the review, between 2008 and 2011. One hand slipped into the doll's arm, another in the head, the body scratched on his hidden behind, Sylvio brought back to life the Roaring Twenties of Michou.
The mouth opened and closed on a playlist of the repertoire of the first shows of the owner of the place.
Catherine, Michou's niece who took over the cabaret, helped him a lot in the design of the number and the recovery of the famous blue glasses.
“She was precious.
She gave me the recordings of 60 cabarets from Michou's beginnings, they are sold with the puppet, ”says the mime.
The body of the puppet scratched on his, hidden behind, Sylvio brought back Michou's Roaring Twenties (left).
Sylvio Bolinio.
The regulars sometimes confused the puppet with Michou, thinking he was taking the air on the sidewalk.
Sylvio, who imitated his voice perfectly, replied "Good evening my little darlings."
He also did his number at the monthly lunch on Monday, given by the man in blue to elderly people.
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For 10 years, the doll has been sleeping in a bag.
When Sylvio takes it out again, he feels "tenderness and sees the loneliness and freshness" of Michou.
He had tried to part ways with the puppet locally near his home in Dunkirk, without success.
Last June, he sold a Michou scarf for 400 euros at auction, in “Affaire concluded” on France 2. If no collector or fan buys the mythical doll, Sylvio will be patient and will participate in a next Sophie Davant program devoted to cabarets to say goodbye to him.
