The curtain has not yet risen, but already, bursts of laughter echo in the dressing rooms. Between mirrors studded with light, voices with intermingling accents, like an improvised score. Every morning, Cabaret de Licques awakens to the sound of the world. And in this small corner of the Opal Coast, it is now a cosmopolitan family that is the beating heart of the Fantastic show.
Diverse Origins, A Common Passion
They come from the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, the United States, and Australia. They have crossed seas, language barriers, and customs to join this French stage where elegance and passion meet. “We all come from very different backgrounds, but here, we naturally harmonize,” one of them confides with a singing accent. Far from their usual surroundings, they have found a perfect setting for them in Licques. An intimate stage, silky lights, and above all, a team that welcomed them “like family.” “As soon as we arrived, we were given a backstage tour, met with smiles from everyone, and received small gestures of attention… We felt at home immediately.”
An Artists' Shared Home, Amidst Laughter and Coffee Aromas
Most of the artists live on-site. Their daily life is a ballet in itself: hurried footsteps are heard in the corridor, the sound of a hairdryer, the clinking of cups at coffee time. A door opens, a burst of laughter erupts. “Since we all live together, we end up sharing everything. The moments of weakness, the fits of laughter, the confidences. That’s what makes us strong on stage: we know each other by heart.” In the evening, after the show, the tension subsides around a board game or a glass of wine. In this house that has become a giant dressing room, each room vibrates with music, discussions, and budding friendships. It’s a bit like living in a musical: the dance, the laughter, the camaraderie — and sometimes, a little nostalgia for distant lands.
Learning France, an Art in Itself
Integrating also means discovering French culture in its most delightful aspects.
One dancer confides:
“In Australia, we don’t take as much time to eat, but here, every meal becomes a special moment. It’s almost a show.”
They also learn the words, gestures, and local traditions. One of them recounts how she practices saying “merci beaucoup” with the right accent; another marvels at the weekend markets, the aromas of warm bread, and the cheese stalls. Little by little, they become a little French. And through them, Cabaret de Licques opens itself even more to the world, without ever losing its soul.
Feathers, Glitter… and Genuine Emotions
On stage, the magic continues. Feathers fly, sequins sparkle, music pulses.
But behind the effects and the lights, it is emotions that take over.
“What we feel when we go on stage is difficult to describe. There’s the adrenaline, the music, the costumes, the gaze of the other artists… and suddenly, everything aligns. It’s a suspended moment.”
Each performance is an encounter. Between them first, in perfect synchronization; then with the audience, whom they welcome as one would open their home.
This warmth is their signature. It slips into every smile, every gesture, every burst of laughter from the stage.
The Alchemy Backstage
There are gestures that are unseen but make all the difference: a hand placed on a shoulder before going on stage, a whispered word in the corridor, a shared laugh during a costume change. This invisible alchemy nourishes the stage and strengthens cohesion. It is no longer just a group of artists, but a true troupe, united by trust and attentiveness. Backstage, they talk about everything and nothing: travels, families, dreams. Some recall their beginnings, others their first performances abroad. All share this rare feeling of being in the right place, at the right time — in a home where they dance, laugh, and live together.
A Troupe Spirit That Inspires the Entire Team
This energy is not limited to the artists. It permeates the entire Cabaret de Licques house: the technicians, the servers, the chef in the kitchen. Each participates in their own way in this collective symphony where art and conviviality are one. It is a true living troupe culture, founded on kindness, curiosity, and sharing. In this demanding yet benevolent atmosphere, the show feeds on daily life, and daily life becomes a show. One no longer just “comes to work” at the cabaret: one lives a human experience, where creativity blends with camaraderie. And this is felt right down to the audience’s applause, who perceive, without always knowing it, this vibrant complicity.
When the Stage Becomes a Universal Language
What is striking, ultimately, is this simple idea: regardless of origins, language, or traditions, the stage remains a common language. Each choreography tells a story without words, each gaze transmits a universal emotion. Perhaps this is the magic of Cabaret de Licques: a place where borders fade in the spotlight. By weaving their differences together, the artists create a living, colorful, human tapestry. A tapestry where every sparkle, every accent, every smile becomes a musical note in the grand melody of the cabaret.
When the curtain falls, the applause resonates like a shared heartbeat.
The show ends, but the troupe continues to dance. In the dressing rooms, in the corridors, in the memory of those who saw them.
For here, in Licques, the magic never fades: it extends into life, into connections, into souls.
