REPORTS

TF1 ON THE QUEST FOR THE GRAIL

SHOW. La légende du Roi Arthur, one of the most eagerly awaited productions of the year, has been playing in since September 2015. This musical comedy is co-produced by TF1 Spectacle, a specialist in extraordinary entertainment. A look behind the scenes at a unique achievement.

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34_37_TF1-roi arthur-ok_VA.indd 36 11/12/2015 19:53 A crew member and an actor rehearsing La légende du Roi Arthur at the Palais des Congrès in Paris.

Fabien Incardona (Méléagant) saluting the audience.

here’s something magic Attia, the producer of a string of Productions (the Warner group). between you and musical comedies that include Les “When Dove Attia comes to us with me…” One of the most Dix commandements and Le Roi a project, we listen,” says Yann memorable songs from Soleil, took on a new challenge: to Geneste, director of TF1 Spectacle TLa légende du Roi Arthur lingers in bring to life one of the most popular and TF1 Musique. “He is, without the air as the spectators reluctantly legends, that of King Arthur and a doubt, the greatest producer of fi le out of the auditorium of the the Knights of the Round Table. musical comedies in France. And Palais des Congrès in Paris on this “I naturally turned to the teams at once again, he wowed us with his Saturday in early October. Over TF1. They’re really good and I know project.” To the point that Le Roi the past two hours, the cast of this I can rely on them,” explains Attia, Arthur, whose total budget is over splendid musical comedy hailed by adding, “we’ve worked together for €5 million, became TF1 Spectacle’s the critics has given its all to enthrall a long time and trust each other. biggest fi nancial investment the audience. To understand what They’re like family!” Le Roi Arthur is to date. As a result, all the TF1 has made it such a success, we indeed his third collaboration with group’s entities have been involved need to go back a couple of years. TF1 Spectacle, after Mozart and – broadcasting, the online units, 1789. TF1 Spectacle, a subsidiary everybody. “Yes, we’re defi nitely Mutual trust of TF1 Entreprises, is one of the giving this show a lot of promotion,” Following the success of 1789, show’s co-producers and an equal says Sarah Louis, head of marketing les amants de la Bastille, Dove partner with Dove Attia and Décibels for Le Roi Arthur at TF1 Spectacle.

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“Visually, it’s the most beautiful show I’ve ever done” Dove Attia, producer of La légende du Roi Arthur

Thomas Ronzeau and Camille There are 50 performers Lou, who play Gauvain and and 400 costumes in the show. Guenièvre, in the makeup room.

“There have never been so many and lines in the hallways, trailers aired on the channel. Cast Giuliano Pepparini goes over his TF1 Spectacle, a player members are appearing in programs stage directions in the empty on the way up like The Voice and the NRJ Music auditorium. The renowned Some of the most to be a player that counts Awards. Stories are worked into Italian director is working with popular events of recent in the world of theatrical newscasts and programs like Sept Dove Attia for the second time. months were produced entertainment.” The à Huit and 50mn Inside. The show is “TF1 is a fantastic machine for by the subsidiary headed opening of the Cité also spotlighted on MYTF1 and our backing unorthodox creators,” by Yann Geneste. They Musicale in the Paris wat.tv and YouTube channels.” notes Yann Geneste. It is a include the Harry Potter suburb of Boulogne- and Star Wars exhibitions Billancourt could get it to win-win strategy: with the TF1 and Comic-Con Paris, that goal more quickly. Broad appeal: brand comes promotional clout the big pop culture Built by Bouygues the DNA of TF1 and a prestigious image for a festival featuring films, Construction and September 8 at the Palais des show. “It fi ts the DNA of TF1: to comics, video games and managed by TF1 Congrès, nine days before the offer entertainment in the form all the rest. “TF1 Entreprises and Sodexo, premiere. The cast and crew of exceptional events to the Spectacle has really this music complex will grown in the past two be a first-class venue for have been working hard to see broadest possible audience,” years,” says Sarah Louis, popular entertainment that everything goes perfectly says Geneste. “If people see only head of marketing for Le starting in spring 2017. on opening night. While some one show this year, it should be Roi Arthur. “One of the rehearse their dance steps La légende du Roi Arthur.” To put TF1 group’s priorities is

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34_37_TF1-roi arthur-ok_VA.indd 38 11/12/2015 19:53 Yann Geneste, director of TF1 Spectacle and TF1 Musique, and Dove Attia, the show’s producer.

Giuliano Pepparini, the show’s director, in the control booth.

After closing at the Palais des Congrès, the show will tour all over France in 2016.

on the promised extravaganza, on stage. “I think it’s the fi nest “If people see only one show Attia and his teams pulled out all show playing in Paris right now.” the stops, with a lineup of some this year, it should be La 50 performers, 400 costumes, Tops at the box-offi ce légende du Roi Arthur” 20 scenes, magic, and much Backstage again after the show. The more. As for the music, the audience has left the auditorium, Yann Geneste, director of TF1 Spectacle and TF1 Musique producer called on established and cast members have just a few artists who are hot at the moment, hours to recover before returning for good. I haven’t seen enthusiasm like the rapper Orelsan and the another performance. Meanwhile, like this for a long time.” Geneste singer (she also plays Attia is busy in his basement offi ce agrees: “It’s only the start of the the fairy Morgane), who also at the Palais des Congrès. Between adventure, but everything looks contributed songs. The headliners two interviews, he tweaks his positive. We’re proud to be backing are Camille Lou (1789) and Florent show here and there and swaps this lavish, moving, and ambitious Mothe (Mozart), along with Charlie impressions with Geneste. “Visually, production. For two hours, time Boisseau, who was spotted on it’s the most beautiful show I’ve ever stops.” The public feels the magic, the TF1 program The Voice. done,” he says with satisfaction. “It too. La légende du Roi Arthur has “Performing in this show is a is the fi rst time I’ve put on a show been number one in box-offi ce sales dream come true,” says the man with such family appeal, and the since it opened. who plays Lancelot, before going word-of-mouth publicity is really Thomas Vitry

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