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The pluralistic polyvalent
performer, renowned as
the
world's
foremost
transformist
Brachetti’s show is a
theatrical experience of a
raw velocity, physical
poetry and a hautecouture runway. He’s
been called The world’s
geatest
quick–change
performer -unlike a quick–
change artist, Brachetti
incorporates
reciting,
shadowgraphy,
magic,
singing and dancing into
his
performances,
creating
complete
character interpretations
with each transformation.
Now no blinking – you
won’t want to miss a
single moment!
YOU DON’T BELIEVE
WHAT YOU SEE,
LIMITLESS TALENT.
VISUALLY
DAZZLING,
REMARKABLE !
Now no blinking - You
won't want to miss a
single moment Brachetti
incorporates
reciting,
shadowgraphy
magic,
singing, dancing into his
performances
creating
complete
character
interpretation
Arturo
Brachetti
can
change from a tough
leather-clad cow-boy to a
flowing opera diva in a
mountain of taffeta to
Darth Vader in about the
time it's taken to read this
far
PRESS AND ARTISTS ARE UNANIMOUS
« Arturo Brachetti : the chameleon man
astonishes
and
scores !
Hilarious !
Astounding ! »
Sonia Sarfati - La Presse – Montreal
“Art magic show, part drag number, part
tribute to traditional clowning and
commedia dell'arte , Arturo's is a class act.
His 90 super fast changes include a surreal
flower, bumble-bee, Carmen Miranda, his
« Fantastico ! The uncontested master of
village priest, Esther Williams .... and a
transformism is a poet, an intellectual of wonderful tribute to Fellini”
magic. We are absolutely astounded! he is
TIME OUT, London - Paris
full of poetry »
“A deeply moving show for kids and adults“
Lio Kieffer - Cité Rock Détente - Montreal
ELLE - France
"You don’t believe what you see, limitless
Brachetti
is
the
king
of
talent. Visually dazzling !
Astunning "Arturo
metamorphosis. In an instant he can change
theatrical production »
faces, clothes, and sexes. On the stage of
The Suburban - Montreal
the Marigny Theatre, he is elusive. We think
"Astounding is the world of Italian superstar we’ve caught him, but it turns out to be
Arturo Brachetti, considered the greates someone else. Like Proteus, he multiplies
quick change artist of the century "
infinitely. He exits the stage through one
George Christy, The Hollywood Reporter - door and enters again through another. We
L.A.
think we are seeing visions, and bring the
house down with applause. We are at the
"... a theatrical genius"
heart of wonder.” (…) “Amazing, looks easy
The Guardian - London
but it is so sophisticated and perfect“
“Brachetti…works magic… You can’t LE FIGARO - France
believe your eyes”
“But the little extra something that Arturo
Kathryn Greenway, The Gazette
Brachetti offers, over and above the vivacity
“A theatrical feast of magic, illusion and
of a delicate spirit, off a sympathetic
storytelling. I am stuffed.... a magical night
individual who performs his show with
of quick change artistry. It's simply
charm and precision, is the underlying
mesmerizing
emotion, which wins the support of the
Larry Maxwell, 98.1 CHF1 – Toronto
enchanted, contented audience.”
“On stage the Tin Tin coiffed Brachetti Armelle Hulot – QUOTIDIEN DU MÉDECIN
projects the manic gregariousness of - France
Roberto Benigni, the sleight-of-hand of
David Copperfield and a closet that would
make a drag queen jealous ... His segment
of shadows puppet is delightful and funny,
creating everything from the Eiffel Tower to
very
realistic
elephant
and
rabbits...Ultimately, Brachetti is certainly
good at his craft and his show is a unique
and original experience”
Rebecca Caldwell - THE GLOBE AND
MAIL- Toronto
“Two producers have managed to
accomplish the incredible feat of filling the
large hall of the Marigny Theatre, where
people are turned away every night… But
time is running out! “
J. Garcin – LE NOUVEL OBSERVATEUR –
France
“It’s rare to see a show where a thousand
people manifest on stage pratically at the
same time… Ath the Marigny Theatre in
Paris, there is currently a man who is Cecil
“A mixture of humor, poetry and mystery, B. de Mille spectacle all by himself, who
absolutely dazing“
makes transformism a life art.”
LE PARISIEN - France
Berkoff – France Soir - France
"Arturo Brachetti is remarkable"
Bob Fosse - The Times – London
« Where are here…wheightless
and happy ! » Maurice Béjart
« I wasn’t just moved, I was completely overwhelmed by the magic of the show. »
Muriel Robin
« A genius: even Hossein has never been able to bring together so many characters »
Laurent Ruquier
« Magnificent! A triumph ! I’m going to bring my children. Thank you »
Bernard Giraudeau
« Incredible, fantastic. I am litterally blown away by his talent. »
Jean-Paul Gauthier
« If you like movies, emotion and talent, you will love Arturo Brachetti, a rare, unique,
creative and an amazing artist»
Liane Foly
« Admirable, remarkable!»
Robert Hossein
BIOGRAPHY
When I was six years old, I was asked: « What do you want to be when you grow up? » My
answer: »A director.. or the Pope. » My father, being unfamiliar with the director’s
profession, preferred to send me to the seminary – but my calling was already fated to be
something… different.
I discovered magic while I was at the seminary, when I met Don Mantelli, a priest-magician
whose room was a veritable Aladdin’s cave, filled with books about illusionism and the
paraphernalia of magic tricks. To compensate for my dubious talent as a soccer player, I
began to perform in theatre – and this was what gave me the idea to change into a new
costume for each magic trick I performed.
It wasn’t until the age of 15, when I was already transforming my appearance three times
during my act, that I first heard about Fregoli.
At 18, I won a contest for young performers,
thanks to a presentation in which I pulled off
six character changes. Gérard Majax was in
the audience, and encouraged me to perform
may act in Paris for Jean-Marie Rivière, who
was the artistic director of the Paradis Latin. I
was hired, and my career as a professional
artist began in Paris’s wildest cabaret – quite
an introduction to the great Music Hall
tradition!
At Jean-Marie Rivière’s side, I was privileged to
learn the craft, the true art, which cannot be
found in books. Above all, I understood that, as
part of the Music Hall tradition, I could inspire
feelings other than just surprise.
After Paris, I went to Germany, and, for the first
time, used my voice in my act, as part of André
Heller’s poetic variety show, Flic Flac. Then, in
London, I presented a show based on my
various characters. I remember with pleasure a Gala at Covent Garden, where I performed
for Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Family.
For many years, I worked for the Italian National Theatre in comic plays and musical
comedies, supported by a company of actors and dancers. We staged M. Butterfly with
Ugo Tognazzi, Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale, and Fregoli, a musical comedy about the
great Italian transformist of the Edwardian era; in which I played the role of Fregoli and his
double, Romolo.
In my final season, I was Puck in A Midsummer night’s Dream. Audiences in italy eagerly
anticipated the magical and spectacular moments that characterize my theatrical universe. I
was honored a number of times as the performer who attracted the most theatergoers
during the season.
Up to the time, I had never dared to stage a solo show. It was only after a meeting with an
interested producer, Gilbert Rozon (owner and founder oh the Just For Laughs Festival, and
a director, that such a project was initiated, becoming a kind of “Best of Brachetti.”
Today, if I where asked “What do you want to be when you grown up?” I would simply
reply: “What kind of question is that? I’ll never grow up!”
THE SHOW…AROUND THE WORLD
The Career
The show is created during the summer 1999 at Montreal within the festival Juste
pour rire. The success is immediate! Arturo went to Paris to present it first in the
Marigny Theatre, then in front of a huge audience in the most prestigious parisian
theatres ( over 400 shows). Receiving the Molière of the best one man show in 2000,
the show becomes the theatrical event of that year. The 80 characters performed by
Arturo delighted the French audience for two years and a half.
The World Tour
Arturo goes from a capital city to a capital city : USA, Canada, United Kingdom,
France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Belgium…
The phenomenon is in every capital city of the world, the critics are unanimous and
the show is sold out.
1 000 shows
1 000 000 spectators.
Never seen before, Arturo Brachetti is the man with a thousand
faces who beats all the records.
THE SHOW
The first part
Arturo returns to the granary of his parents house
to clear it out the cumbersome memories. Dusty
objects, damaged toys and worn clothes bring
Arturo back in the dreamlike world of his
childhood.
When he opens his game box, he recreates all the
characters of his past fantasy. The rediscovery of
his mum’s red purse, takes also, the one she
used to call Arturino,
towards other forgotten
characters… then, and as if
he has fallen into the trap of
he time, Arturo becomes
the symbol of the the time
that passes by, season
after season…
Leopolo Fregoli
Leopolo Fregoli was the greatest transformist of all time.
He was the first to elevate the art form, derived from the
commedia dell’arte, to a previously unknown level of
virtuosity.
Blessed with excellent body control and voice of exceptional
range, Fregoli created a new kind of variety show. Alone on
stage, he brought to life old Music Hall characters: singers,
actors, clowns, pierrots, magicians, etc. He also performed
vaudeville-style neighbor. He lived at the turn of the
century, became an international star, and experienced
undiminished success for almost thirty years.
He had the following epitaph inscribed on his gravestone in
Viareggio:
“Here
Fregoli
accomplish
his
final
transformation.”
He was so well known that his name became a popular
expression. The word “fregolism” is still used in Italian and
French today to describe the ability to change clothes,
attitudes, or feelings quickly and often.
Fregoli presented his show for the first time in Paris on
January 20, 1900; and, by a remarkable coincidence, the
first performance of my show in Paris was on January 20,
2000 at the Marigny Theater !!! It must have been fated!
The Second part
Immersed in his memories, Arturo remembers the
movies he used to see from behind the screen,
pulling himself up to the dormer of the granary.
Hollywood splendor and colors invade the outhouse.
The space is brightened up through many
characters. One after the other, they recreate the
most famous American classic movies.
When the charm vanishes, we discover a picture of
Federico Fellini on which he appears Arturo, the kid,
next to him. The stage becomes, then, a movie set
to pay a tender and a magical tribute to the
Maestro!
Whereas the show ends up, and before the magic
takes Arturo away, he reveals his secret…
Homage to Fellini
Without a doubt, Fellini is the artist who
influenced mz the most in my adolescence.
He helped me develop and enabled me to
acquire a certain degree off maturity, while
still maintaining my childish outlook.
Fellini created “theatre for the big screen.” To
pay tribute it one the world’s masters of
cinema, I wanted to bring the big screen to
the theatre.
“Amarcord,” “La Strada,” 8 1/2,” The
Clowns,” “Roma,” “Casanova,” etc. In all of
Fellini’s work, I find the essence of Italy,
which is rooted in the depths of my being,
and which I feel stirring within me even when
I am far from home.
Fellini’s universe is a poetic abstraction that only he knew how to capture on the screen.
In Fellini’s work, we always have the impression of living in a parallel world, a world where
fiction and reality are constantly overlapping.
It is for this reason, that I, alone in my corner, feel so close to him (or do I feel him so close
to me?)