2023-11-26 09:08:22
Published26. November 2023, 10:08
Interview: Joseph Gorgoni: “Laughter saves everything”
Three years ago, the comedian was plunged into a 42-day coma. Today, he returns in great shape to celebrate Marie-Thérèse Porchet’s 30th birthday.
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Fabio Dell’Anna
Joseph Gorgoni, 57, will begin his tour “Marie-Thérèse Porchet celebrates 30 years (of career)” on November 30.
Nathan Hausermann
Joseph Gorgoni is back from Paris when he speaks to us on the phone last Wednesday. “It’s my second city. I have a lot of friends there and I want to go back soon,” he says. And why not to perform her new show, “Marie-Thérèse Porchet celebrates her 30th (career) anniversary”. In an emotional voice, he describes the five sold-out shows at the Olympia and the “beautiful red letters at the entrance to the venue”. “One of the best memories of my life,” he confides.
Before this dream perhaps comes true once more, he crosses French-speaking Switzerland from November 30 to tell the new adventures of our favorite fifty-something Tupperware fan. What a joy to find this character once more when we almost lost our interpreter three years ago. Joseph Gorgoni actually underwent a lung transplant due to acute fibrosis and complications linked to Covid. He remained in a coma for more than forty days. Since then, he has released an autobiography and created a show “TransPlanté” which he will continue to perform over the coming months. “I rested enough. It’s time to work,” he exclaims.
Joseph Gorgoni, to begin with, how are you?
Better. Honestly, I’m very lucky. I was put in a coma three years ago almost to the day. It was November 21, 2020. Today I just released a book called “TransPlanté” and a new show is coming. Everything is fine.
Your next show is called “Marie-Thérèse Porchet celebrates her 30th birthday”. Is she finally looking her age?
(Laughs.) You shouldn’t tell him that. On the other hand, you might say that I am old enough for the role now. But Marie-Thérèse does not change. She’s a bit like Tintin… Or rather the Castafiore. She remains frozen in time and will always be 50 years old.
Tell us more regarding this show?
Marie-Thérèse is not very happy. We only talk regarding the bald man who was sick (editor’s note: Joseph Gorgoni, therefore). It annoys him. We then compare the situations of thirty years ago with those of today. We see, for example, the evolution of Lopez, her son and mine, Christian-Christophe…
“Marie-Thérèse is always a little racist, always a little homophobic. Today, it falls on him”
Joseph Gorgoni, comedian
Your job has also changed in thirty years, hasn’t it?
The humor changes. Fortunately, anyway. At the same time, it’s very special with Marie-Thérèse. We can still allow ourselves to say things with her. When we write, obviously, we are very careful not to shock people. But Marie-Thérèse is always a little racist, always a little homophobic and now it’s falling on her. She accepted that her son was gay and now he is transitioning. She welcomes him and she accepts him.
How was the character of Marie Thérèse Porchet born?
The first appearance was in the Revue genevoise, in 1993. At that time, you had to call 111 for telephone information and it cost over 2 francs per minute. Pierre Naftule made a sketch of it. For the character, I had been doing this voice almost forever. I imitated a lot of the women in the office I worked in. I earned money to pay for dance lessons and my boss inspired me a lot. Jacqueline (ndlr.: Marie-Thérèse Porchet’s best friend) has this first name, because I nicknamed one of my friends that. I never imagined that I would still be answering questions regarding Marie-Thérèse thirty years later.
As a man, was it easy at that time to play a female character?
Yes. I don’t know why, but Marie-Thérèse really exists in people’s heads. Plus, I didn’t show up for the first few years. There was a mystery around this character. The spectators said: “Is that a man? It’s a woman? We do not know!” Maybe the vast majority who are not OK with the fact that I am gay and that I play a woman are attached to Marie-Thérèse, because she is a drag queen who is not very pretty, funny and a little old-fashioned. . I don’t know.
What does Marie-Thérèse Porchet represent for you?
I know it doesn’t exist, I’m not completely schizo. (Laughs.) But it’s thanks to her that I’ve been here for thirty years. She allowed me to make a dream come true. I didn’t imagine that I would do comedy, but I knew that I would be on a stage. The stage is my life. And when we feel like we’ve found what suits us perfectly, it’s extraordinary. Not to mention the affection the public has for me. It’s crazy.
You woke up from a coma on December 31, 2020. Three years later, on New Year’s Eve, you will be in Lausanne with your show. Was it important for you to work that day?
I just like working on December 31st. I’m old now, but back then I went out a lot. On New Year’s Eve, there are always somewhat special atmospheres in clubs or restaurants. I don’t like doing that much anymore. So, I’m very happy to be at the Métropole room with lots of friends from Paris who will be coming. Plus, it gives me a good excuse to escape from sticky situations: “Oh sorry, I can’t come. I’m working.” (Laughs.)
“I talk regarding my drama with a certain detachment compared to last year. I can mention this period without breaking down every two minutes.”
Joseph Gorgoni, comedian
Eventually, you never stop working.
I still breathe a little. Obviously, the lungs are not quite the same. And then I’m 57 years old. Whatever I did, it was better physically twenty years ago. (Laughs.) But I don’t think anyone realizes that on stage.
You also continue to tour with “TransPlanté”. After several performances, you confirm that this is your most personal show?
We can say that, yes. It’s so horrible everything that happened to me. When I realized I might get away with it, I told myself I had to tell it on stage. It’s not psychotherapy at all, but it did me a lot of good to be able to say all that and see people laugh regarding it. There was a kind of madness around this show. It was incredible. Obviously, when we talk regarding death, people are a little emotional. But I’m happy to have managed to create a show in which we talk regarding this subject in a somewhat detached way. It has always saved me.
Did laughter cure your ailments?
Yes, always. I was born in 1966, so I experienced AIDS in an almost intimate way. It’s so horrible that following a while you’re like, “Damn, if we can’t breathe and break away from this and have a little laugh, we’re going to die.” Laughter saves everything.
Do you have any following-effects from what happened three years ago?
I think regarding it every day because I have to take medication for life. But I tolerate them very well. This story seems impossible to me, it is so incredible: the transplant, the 42-day coma and the mucor (editor’s note: a deadly mushroom). While writing the book, I immersed myself in these memories. I’m finally able to mention this period without breaking down every two minutes. It was so awful that there were some things I almost forgot. A bit like women who give birth and manage to forget the pain.
Why did you release an autobiography?
It’s true that I’m a little young to write an autobiography. People have known me for thirty years and it’s an opportunity to sit down and talk regarding things other than just the illness. This writing process didn’t make me nostalgic at all. On the contrary, it’s beautiful to see everything we have achieved and to share it with the people who love me.
What is one of your greatest prides?
It’s Florian, who I’ve been with for twenty-three years now. It’s crazy.
You entered into a civil partnership and announced in 2021 that you would not hesitate to get married. Have you passed the milestone?
We made the registered partnership regarding ten years ago. We haven’t done the equivalence yet, but we probably will.
Marie-Thérèse Porchet celebrates her 30th career on November 30 throughout French-speaking Switzerland.
Jokers Comedy
“Marie-Thérèse Porchet celebrates 30 years (of career)” from November 30 at the Hameau Z’arts Theater in Payerne and then throughout French-speaking Switzerland.Tickets and information on the website.
1700991336
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