Jun 20Jun 21, 2025
(The / Le) Pain
Jean-Daniel Broussé
No pain no grain
Breathe in the aroma of delicious, fresh-baked baguette, made on stage from a family recipe handed down from father to son. The Broussés from Béarn in France have been bakers for generations. Meet Jean-Daniel Broussé, who bucked tradition to become an artist. He moved to London, where he worked with choreographer Ben Duke*, who then helped script Le/The Pain, in accordance with Broussé’s theatrical recipe: a well proofed mix of circus, dance, cabaret and clowning. On stage, Broussé tells the story of his life, with dash of frivolity. His queer identity, not to the taste of those in his home town, is another break from paternal tradition. But now, on stage, this baker/circus artist overcomes all pain in a transcendent delirium, and breaks bread with the audience at the end of the show.
* He played Thésée dans Ruination: The True Story of Medea by Ben Duke in January 2025 at the Abbesses Theatre.
Conception et interprète Jean Daniel Broussé
Creation and performance Jean Daniel Broussé
Direction Ursula Martinez
Choreography Leah Marojevic
Acrobatic consulting Charlie Wheeller
Lighting design Joe Hornsby
Costume design Max Allen
Music Samir Kennedy
Production Di Robson
Production management Hannah Blamire
Technical direction Fergus Waldron
Video projection Sam Williams
Videos creation Jean-Daniel Broussé, Laurie Warman, Evelyne Larran
Commissioned by Warwick Arts Centre, London International Mime Festival
With support from Arts Council England Lottery Funded and Jerwood Circus Residencies
Thanks to Betrand Broussé, Myriam Broussé and the staff of Boulangerie Broussé
