Beret screwed on the head, mustache, marcel and baguette in hand – let the show begin! In rehearsal for the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup, Jean Dujardin, who co-wrote the show with designer Olivier Ferracci and director Nora Matthey, appears on a bicycle in a French style, Franchouille will say evil tongues.
The actor, a great rugby fan and former player himself – like his brothers, he wore the colors of the Rueil-Malmaison club (Hauts-de-Seine) in his youth – revealed the first images on his Instagram account of the ceremony. It intends to evoke France and its terroirs, its art and crafts and its gastronomy, which is why chefs Guy Savoy and Yves Camdeborde have embarked on this adventure.
In a few hours from now, the Rugby World Cup will open with this show which promises to be an ode to high-flying France – as evidenced by the stunts and backflips during the preparations.
On the program, 20 minutes of show with 33 French personalities including the singer Vianney, Zaz, the actor Philippe Lacheau, Adriana Karembeu, the director Yann Arthus-Bertrand, the pastry chef Pierre Hermé and the star dancer Alice Renavand. “It’s the passion of all the arts gathered on a stadium,” smiles the latter at the microphone of TF1.
Three rehearsals took place last night with the 240 volunteers present on the show – the culmination of two years of work. “It’s a unifying moment,” assures Vianney. We wanted to try to find what brings us all together in this country. In fact, it’s a lot of things to be proud of.”
The opening ceremony will begin at 8 p.m. at the Stade de France. And should last about twenty minutes. We could not have dreamed of a better poster for the opening match. Behind its captain Antoine Dupont, the XV of France faces the All Blacks, who have just fallen heavily against South Africa who won the last Rugby World Cup four years ago.
