Location
Théâtre Varia
Duration
45 mins
Languages
Français
Prices
Public
Ages 7 and up
Accessibility
pmr accompagnant
pmr
01—04.06.2027

Norman is just like ‘normal’, apart from one letter

Marie Henry

Clément Thirion &
kosmocompany

Artiste partenaire
Theater
Family

The inspiration for this story comes from a news item in Germany: one day, a father in Berlin started wearing dresses out of solidarity with his son, who wanted to dress only in that way. Working in perfect harmony, Clément Thirion and Marie Henry have crafted a colourful and joyful story about our relationship with social norms.

Dates and Times

Tickets
Tickets
Tickets
Tickets
Tickets

Summary

Norman is a child just like any other, except that he would like to wear dresses, and so far, at his school, little boys don’t wear them. So, when he turns up in his beautiful pink outfit, he has to face the teasing and intolerance of the others. Things aren’t any easier at home.  

Clément Thirion offers us a hymn to the freedom to be oneself. He entrusts this desire to the pen of Marie Henry. Following the play Pink Boys and Old Ladies, they have achieved international success with this production adapted for children. Norman c’est comme normal, à une lettre près is a lively play, as light-hearted as it is profound, blending various art forms, with dance taking centre stage. Lighting and sound play a key role in creating an almost magical atmosphere. 

With gentle sensitivity and through touching, strong, funny and authentic characters, the kosmocompany invites us to question the norm and, more broadly, the codes that shape us. Through the eyes of a child, Clément Thirion, an associate artist at Varia, takes us on a beautiful journey: Norman’s innocence, sensitivity and sincerity help us to approach everything that seems set in stone from a different angle.

Hichem Dahes, Anoek Luyten

A rare and fabulous theatrical moment.

Marie Fradette, Le Devoir, 29 April 2024

A beautiful and poignant piece that rings true, one that is bound to make us question our relationship with the norm and all the clichés and stereotypes we have accumulated.

Elisa Goffart, RTBF, 30 September 2023
Cast




Direction and choreography: Clément Thirion
Script and dramaturgy: Marie Henry
Performed by Quentin Chaveriat, alternating with Clément Thirion, Antoine Cogniaux and Deborah Marchal
Creation of the role of Norman: Lylybeth Merle
Set design and costumes: Katrijn Baeten, Saskia Louwaard Lighting design and technical direction: Gaspar Schelck Sound design: Thomas Turine Classical dance: Maria Clara Villa Lobos
Stage management (alternating): Gildas Celeste, Grégoire Larrouy, Chams Madec, Rodolphe Maquet, Maxime Meulemans, Fred Postiau, Dalain Randrimanjava, Loïc Vanden Bemden, Gaspar Schelck
Photos: Hichem Dahes, Anoek Luyten
Development, production, communications and distribution: BLOOM Project

Credits

Produced by kosmocompany
Co-produced by Mars – Mons Arts de la Scène, Pierre de Lune – Brussels, Charleroi danse – Centre Chorégraphique de Wallonie-Bruxelles, La Coop asbl
With the support of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation - Theatre Department and WBTD
With the support of Wallonie-Bruxelles International, La Montagne Magique, Shelterprod, Taxshelter.be, ING, and the Belgian federal government’s Tax-Shelter scheme 

NORMAN is like ‘normal’, with just one letter different, a text published by Lansman 

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