"
We call the Covid on stage,
" announces a female voice half-directive, half-amused.
A black silhouette decked out in an imposing plastic costume with golden reflections surmounted by spikes strangely recalls the virus in the crown.
The dancers, singers and actors of the new review of the Latin Paradise cannot help but smile in front of the table.
The Covid will not get the better of
L'Oiseau Paradis,
the Kamel Ouali show.
The sassy show oscillating between tradition and modernity will kick off the reopening of Parisian cabarets on Friday September 3.
Read alsoMoulin Rouge, Crazy Horse, Michou… Parisian cabarets will reopen in September
The event comes almost a year after the establishment was forced to close. The Latin Paradise had been the only Parisian cabaret to reopen last fall before being forced to close with the second confinement. "
I'm so happy to see the spotlight and the lights and the glitter,
" exclaims Venus, who hasn't donned her drag queen gear that day but is wearing a long white skirt and rhinestone tights. No mask inside, like all staff at their health pass.
“
We are a real family.
We have tried to maintain ties even during containment.
Walter
[Butler, the cabaret manager]
was texting us to tell us that he was there for us and that he would fight for us,
”comments the drag queen.
The family has grown and welcomes new members from Australia, Spain and overseas.
“
The new ones, we spot them right away.
They are tense during rehearsals whereas in real life they are smiling,
”laughs Walter Butler.
In this business, we are Rolling Stones.
We don't hang on.
But the heat, the atmosphere, the people it touched me.
We have pillars that have been there for nearly 40 years.
Cassy director of artistic production at Paradis Latin
Hash is part of the news. The Franco-Moroccan plays the role of the leader of the review. The former semi-finalist of
The Voice
swapped her platinum blonde shaved cut for a jet black bob. She admits to being a little nervous:
"You have to dance, sing at the same time, I've never done that, I'm not used to it"
. But Tatiana Seguin, choreographic assistant to Kamel Ouali, watches over the grain with an iron fist in a velvet glove. “
I have my nose in it, I don't want to let my emotions invade me, I want to support the work until the end, so that it is as sharp as possible. I am 1000% with the artistic team so that it makes you dream as much as possible
”confides the young girl with the mat complexion which contrasts with her platinum hair.
Tatiana Seguin (short hair from the back), the choreographic assistant of Kamel Ouali gives her instructions to the dancers.
Latin paradise
Cassy, the director's other lieutenant, took a big step.
The energetic young man with blue lenses who nicknames everyone "
my darling
" has joined the great family of deans of Parisian cabarets for a long time, by signing a CDI.
“
In this business, we are Rolling Stones.
We don't hang on.
But the heat, the atmosphere, the people it touched me.
We have pillars that have been there for nearly 40 years
. ”.
The show must go on!
Kamel Ouali's show is a declaration of love for the art of music hall with a touch of modernity.
Launched two years ago, the review was brought to a halt by the Covid.
Despite the sanitary pass and the ambient gloom,
The show must go on
(the show must continue)!
“
We had to change moments that were close to the public,
explains the young dad.
But frankly the sanitary rules were respected and we managed to keep the integrity of the show,
”he explains.
L'Oiseau Paradis returns from Friday September 3 to the Paradis Latin.
Latin paradise
The magazine could not have resumed without William Butler, the Franco-Brazilian businessman who took over the institution three years ago.
The health protocol?
A financial and logistical burden, but it was the only way to reopen.
“
I know I'm not making a profit.
It's a choice to stay open, it's a message of hope.
It is an investment for tomorrow.
It is an act of citizenship, for culture, for the public.
This Friday, the public's eyes will be on the future of the Paradis Latin.
Le Paradis Latin, 28 Rue du Cardinal Lemoine, 75005 Paris,
reserve your seats, from September 9 to December 31.
SEE ALSO -
Culture: the Moulin Rouge cabaret announces its reopening date (05/17/2021)
