Chaud must go on

Tof Théâtre

Puppetry and Rock'n'roll / 8 and up

Tension mounts as the public waits for Bernard.

Bernard wants to get up there, on that stage which is his Holy Grail.

He delays, can’t get there…

Everything’s stopping him!

But in the face of all adversity, Bernard never despairs! And when he finally does, it’s like a “Big Boy”, a steam locomotive launched at full speed on the rails of blues and rock’n’roll, that he puts on his show. An intense fire burns in his hearth, fuelled by his love of the public. Nothing, no barrier, no knocker, can stop him now. He fights with all his body, all his soul, the soul of rock’n’roll, to reach his target, his terminus: the heart of the audience.

“Rock’n’roll will never die!”

Yeah…

 

THE SHOW

The concert is about to begin.

A musician enters the stage. A drum beat and a guitar riff raise the tension.

Everything is falling into place for the arrival of Bernard, the singer, leader and star of the group.

But Bernard doesn’t arrive.

He calls for help. And he’s going to need it, as he makes his way through a scene that turns out to be fraught with pitfalls.

Unfortunately, the only support available is that of his guitarist, who proves to be rather a burden.

But Bernard will face adversity and fight body and soul to see his show through.

Who is Bernard?

Imagine an old steam locomotive at full speed on the Missouri Pacific Railroad, a locomotive that’s gone wild and crazy and that no barrier, no bumpers can stop or slow down. This mighty machine, this “Big Boy” racing like a bullet along the rails of blues and rock’n’roll, is Bernard! and his target, the heart of the audience!

If nothing stops him, it’s because an intense fire burns in his hearth, a fire fuelled by his infinite love for the public and a determination to give his all!

And also, perhaps, by an equally powerful need for recognition.

“Chaud must go on” is a hymn to willpower, an ode to perseverance. It’s a knockout blow to renunciation and defeatism.

Concept, direction and acting: Nicolas Laine (associate artist at TOF Théâtre)

Puppet, set and sound design: Nicolas Laine

Temporary and friendly assistance: Alain Moreau, Delphine Veggiotti and Mehrzad Kateb

Lighting design: Nicolas Laine under the watchful eye of Matthieu Chemin, Amaury Bertels and Lola Royano

Production: Nicolas Laine and TOF Théâtre

With the support of the FWB, the Province of Walloon Brabant

Show produced at MONTY – Tiers-lieu artistique, culturel et citoyen in Genappe

Broadcasting: My-Linh Bui

***

NICOLAS LAINE, ASSOCIATE ARTIST AU TOF THÉÂTRE…

Nicolas Laine met Alain Moreau, one of his instructors, during his master’s degree in puppetry at ART2( Conservatoire de Mons) in 2021-2022.

Is it the energy, the quirkiness, a certain appetite for transgression? Between them, the current flows…

It’s been a few years now that Alain Moreau, keen to share the know-how he’s acquired over many years of practice and to pass on the tricks of his trade, has set up a process of companionship with young artists at TOF Théâtre. This time, he is offering Nicolas the status of associate artist, enabling him to finalize the creation of Chaud must go on, whose puppet-character was born in the workshop under the watchful eye of his trainer. Nicolas will also take part in new TOF creations, and will have the opportunity to learn how to accompany other productions within the company.

Production: Nicolas Laine and TOF Théâtre

With support from the FWB, the Province of Walloon Brabant

Show produced at MONTY – Tiers-lieu artistique, culturel et citoyen in Genappe

Duration: 30 minutes

Audience size: maximum 130 (depending on venue and seating)

The show can be performed twice during the day, with a minimum interval of 1 hour between 2 performances and a maximum duration of 4 hours.

e.g. 6 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.

Play area :

Depth 5m

Width 7.5m

Height 4m

Occultation essential

Perfectly level floor

The bleacher is not included in the playing area.

Assembly: 4h

Dismantling: 2h

Assistance required: 1 multi-skilled technician (sound/light) for unloading and reloading equipment, as well as during set-up and dismantling.

Public space: tiered seating essential, front only.

Capacity: 130 spectators (depending on room and seating).

Duration: 30 min.

Electrical power: 2 circuits of 16 A minimum or three-phase 32 A

Queries :

The use of a smoke machine requires the fire alarm system to be switched off.
Heated single-person dressing room with mirror, water point and bottles, coffee.

Technical contact: Matthieu Chemin matthieu@toftheatre.be