Philippe Hersen will direct “Madagascar” at the Théâtre du Gymnase from October 19. The cartoon, released in France in 2005, is already turning into a musical in the United States and the United Kingdom. “This is the first time that DreamWorks has granted a license to a French director,” rejoices the man who successfully directed “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, “Priscilla, Madwoman of the Desert” and recently “Flashdance” which resumes on April 27 at the Seine Musicale.
The comedy film, with 3.19 million admissions in French cinemas, tells with many gags how animals escape from the Central Park zoo to find their zebra friend Marty. The gang will find themselves embarked on a flood of comic adventures on the island of Madagascar. The American adaptation into a musical show, whose tour also includes Ireland, Hong Kong and Singapore, stopped in Monaco from December 1 to 3.
“I want a very funny comedy, targeted at parents and children”
Philippe Hersen promises a very burlesque French version, drawing heavily on the license’s repertoire of disco songs and Abba hits. “I want to put gimmicks there Mission impossible, I want a very funny comedy, targeted at parents and children, with penguins wandering around the room,” already imagines Philippe Hersen, who will get to work next week. “I had the idea for this adaptation when I saw how much my 10-year-old daughter is a fan of it. She has seen the film at least ten times, with the same pleasure. And I also found it very entertaining for adults. »
Around ten artists are expected on the stage of the Théâtre du Gymnase, some in “muppet” costumes, others as characters costumed in the image of the “Lion King”. The public will be able to find the zebra, the giraffe, the lion, the hippopotamus, sing along to “I Like To Move It”, “Stayin’Alive”…