He’s not coming for Brisbane Festival but French fashion icon Jean Paul Gaultier is sending an emissary – his acclaimed Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show. We asked him some key questions about this festival opener, which is a huge coup and an Australian exclusive for Brisbane Festival’s artistic director Louise Bezzina. 

What convinced you to send your show to Brisbane? Have you visited Australia?

I have visited Australia twice, the second time for my exhibition in Melbourne at the National Gallery of Victoria.  The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier had 15 stops all over the world but the Melbourne leg was one of the best. I was deeply impressed by the people and by the beauty of the country, so there was not a moment of hesitation when we received the invitation for Brisbane.

Any chance you will come to the Brisbane Festival? If not, what is your message to those who will see your show?

I am much older now and can’t travel that far. But I hope that the audience will feel a strong emotion. The show is a story of my life told through song and dance and fashion. It’s a story of a small boy from the suburbs who dreamed of working in fashion after seeing a film with his grandmother. I hope that the Australian audience will be able to relate to my story and most of all enjoy the show.

How happy are you with the global reaction to the show?

I am beyond thrilled. I never thought that the show would be showing for nine months in Paris and then travel around the world to the UK, Germany, Japan, Italy, Portugal, Spain … and now Australia.

How revealing is it?

It is very honest. The story of a boy from the suburbs who dreamed of being a couturier. Who lived his dream with all the highs and lows of his destiny.

Name a couple of your favourite songs from the show’s playlist?

I love them all. I chose them because they all mean something to me, but let’s say Le Freak c’est Chic as this is the Fashion Freak Show and I Want Your Love. We do this job also to be loved.

How did you go about creating the show – just sitting down and writing or discussing and workshopping it? What was the creative process?

I knew I wanted to do a theatre show but I am not a good writer so I wrote the piece visually. And what story do I know better than the story of my life? Why freaks? Because I was always attracted by difference. We are all freaks, in a way. I also had a great team. The late Tonnie Marshall as co-director, Marion Motin for choreography, Raphael Chioffi for text and, of course, the amazing cast which has been with us since 2018.

Are the fashions originals or recreated for the show?

There are a lot of original pieces both ready-to-wear and couture, but there are, of course, some costumes that were done specifically for the show.

Did other theatrical experiences influence you when you were creating the show?

I have been going to the theatre since when I was six years old. I am sure that the influences are there but I can’t list one single play that has influenced me. Everything around me influences me – even just what I see in the street.

What’s the nicest or most heart-warming response to the show that you have had?

There are so many. Mostly people tell me how much my story relates to theirs.

What about anyone who didn’t like the show? Are there such people?

I am sure there are and it wouldn’t be good if there weren’t. Nothing can be universally liked.

Jean Paul Gaultier’s Fashion Freak Show, South Bank Piazza, August 30 to September 15. 

brisbanefestival.com.au

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