Lorànt Deutsch: a dad in the middle of a “dream”
Lorànt Deutsch, a young father, is currently triumphing in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare. The actor gave us an interview in the sumptuous Corbeille salon at the Porte de Saint Martin theater in Paris, where the play is being performed. Meeting in a relaxed atmosphere …
The director, Nicolas Briançon, surprises us with a rhythmic performance of this play by Shakespeare, 70s universe. He delivers us an adaptation more burlesque than poetic. It was daring. What made you want to act in this play?
I like to trust, I like the idea of someone offering me a look at what I’m doing. And then, I love Nicolas Briançon. It’s a classic, innovative, dust-free version. Personally, I had neither seen nor read the play. I didn’t grow up with the theater and I don’t like to read it, I’m not ashamed to say it. The theater comes to me gradually. Nicolas Briançon offered me this role, I accepted because I love Shakespeare, he’s a master.
In the room, you play the part of the pixie Puck. He is a bit of a trickster, very curious and full of energy. Does he look like you?
Puck is under the authority of a master. I have always liked to be free, while being limited by an authority. Freedom expresses itself best when it’s in a frame, I think. You know, the golden age for me is when I was 12, when I was playing mariolle in the backyard and being caught up with me before I ran out.
If you had to sum up this piece in one word, which one would it be?
It’s a play about love. With this piece, we wonder whether we should not put reason into love, make concessions. We ask ourselves the question: does love give everything?
With 20 actors on stage, isn’t it too difficult to find your place?
I need to be in a band. Even if with Mélanie Doutey, we are the headliners, it is not easier for us because we are expected at the turn. This is how private theater works, it needs famous people to attract the world, to captivate the media. It’s the law.
You have met your partner on the stage. She also stars in this room, but you just run into each other, isn’t that too frustrating?
No, I did all the roles behind, costume designer, I had her rehearse. And then she is a formidable actress, a relentless worker. We eat, train, we support each other. We have a bond on stage, an experience of common life that we find in the theater. My wife is beautiful in the room.