A life-changing encounter: Simon McBurney's journey with the legendary clown, Philippe Gaulier.
An Unforgettable Teacher
We often hear stories of influential teachers who leave a lasting impact on their students. For Simon McBurney, this transformative experience came later in life, at the age of 24, when he found himself in Paris, accidentally stumbling into a class taught by the enigmatic Philippe Gaulier.
Philippe was a force of nature - provocative, demanding, and hilariously inappropriate. He taught Simon a valuable lesson: to let go of baggage and preconceived notions. In his words, "Knowing nothing is all you need." This philosophy, rooted in the belief that we are all inherently ridiculous, became a guiding principle for Simon.
A Unique Upbringing
Philippe's background was as intriguing as his teaching methods. With a Spanish mother, he grew up in postwar France, a time and place that shaped his views on various professions and attitudes. He held a special disdain for collaborators, a term he used with a unique blend of disgust and humor, "C'est un collabo de merde de chien." This slur, reserved for the most deserving, reflected his strong anti-fascist stance.
First Impressions
Simon's first encounter with Philippe was unforgettable. It was a cold November evening in 1980, at Philippe's studio in Rue Alfred de Vigny. The tangled mustache, the tightly clenched pipe, the wild hair, and the bright green sweater all contributed to an image that was both intriguing and captivating. His eyes, framed by round glasses, seemed to miss nothing, taking nothing seriously, yet studying every possibility with a fierce intensity.
The room was filled with students, all eager to experience something unique, something that Philippe Gaulier alone could offer.
"Bonsoir," Simon greeted him, shaking his hand.
"Bonsoir," Philippe replied, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
"You arre eeengleesh?" he asked, and with that, the lesson began.
Rules of the Game
Philippe established a simple yet powerful rule: he was the teacher, and his students were the pupils. This dynamic was a playful parody of traditional power structures, inviting laughter and a unique form of rebellion. There was no set style or ideology; instead, he focused on each individual, breaking them down, rebuilding, and engaging with them in a way that was both insulting and delightful.
The Art of Failure
One of the most valuable lessons Simon learned was the art of failing and starting again. Philippe taught him that ideas were not the problem; it was the performance of those ideas that mattered. When people laugh at you, it reveals a truth, and this is why we often dread being the butt of jokes. But with Philippe, Simon learned that embracing this vulnerability was key to revealing one's true humanity.
This act of sharing fallibility with the audience, in a complicit relationship, is a radical and anarchic approach, unique to Philippe's teaching style and a concept rarely found in other art forms.
A Lesson in Play
Philippe's philosophy extended beyond the classroom. He believed that actors who had forgotten the joy of play as children should not be actors at all. This belief was reinforced during their lunch breaks, where Philippe would take Simon to the bar, discussing the afternoon session with a seriousness that only he could bring to such a setting.
"Tiens, mon petit, on va chercher de l'inspiration," he would say, before ordering two large martinis, a testament to his unique approach to life and teaching.
