And where can you find more culture than at the GOP Varieté Theater Kaiserpalais Bad Oeynhausen? Already the name is art in itself! ?
The team at Vienna House Easy Bad Oeynhausen met with artist Gabriel Drouin, the co-director of the new play “Freaks”. And he should know what true culture is all about! Why that?
Gabriel studied the karate arts already as a child and even made it to the WKF Junior World Championships in kata before joining the National Circus School in Montreal. In 2013, after completing the circus school, he worked with the world-famous Cirque Éloize. Meanwhile, Gabriel has relocated to beautiful Munich. In the production of “Freaks”, Gabriel is co-director and wows audiences in the role of the bearded lady with his skills in the mono wheel.
Where did you get the idea of becoming a variety and circus artist? Did you go to a circus school?
My parents sent me to an artiste club when I was seven years old. It was so much fun that I didn’t want to leave. From the age of 17, I attended a circus school.
What would you have done if you hadn’t become a circus performer?
It’s hard for me to imagine anything else, but I would probably have ended up in production or directing in show business. In the end, I became a professional performer when I was 17 years old.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
What I enjoy most is entertaining people and working in a team to present a successful show together.
How many people work on a show? Do you get on well with each other?
Eleven performers, two technicians and a director.
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Which show that you’ve performed in did you like the most? And why?
The GOP Show “Carousel”. You had so much freedom on the show and the team was just great. The cohesion was unique, and it was also my first GOP show.
Which role are you playing at the moment?
A self-confident bearded lady named Lilli. A woman who is proud of her appearance.
How do you like Bad Oeynhausen?
I love Bad Oeynhausen. It is nice and quiet, and everything is so close together. The Bali Therme and the beautiful spa park aren’t far either.
What do you like the most about Bad Oeynhausen?
The Bali Therme. I go there about four times a week.
Do you have family?
I’ve got two younger sisters and my parents in Canada. My girlfriend lives in Munich and comes from Germany. We are going to get married about two months from now.
Do you have a permanent residence someplace? Where do you feel at home? Where do you come from originally?
I’m from the French part of Canada, from the beautiful city of Québec. I’m an avid snowboarder and climber. There is a mountain in Québec that I often climb. At the top of the mountain, there is a spot where you have a great view of the entire city. That always gives me the feeling of being home. 🙂
What is your dream for the future?
To continue to perform and at the same time be part of the GOP team. And one day, I would like to create my own shows.
If you had three wishes, what would they be?
I’m 26 years old and would like to have the body that I had when I was 16. I would like to make everyone in the world happy. And I would save all bears from extinction.