Since its creation almost two years ago, the musical inspired by the universe of fringent cowboys, Pub Royalis a huge success here as in Europe. The press has Take advantage of the new series of performances in Montreal-which begins this Wednesday-to talk about this formidable adventure with the multi-talent master of the spectacle ceremony, Kevin Houle.
When the project was presented for the first time to the media at a press conference in April 2023, Kevin Houle never thought that Pub Royal would still be on display, 125 performances and 175,000 spectators later. “I even had no idea what I was going to play!” “Said, amused, the actor, a regular for musicals for 20 years.
But after the premiere in Quebec in November 2023, the show packed in Montreal throughout the month of December at the Maisonneuve theater in the Place des Arts. He then had to face the facts: Pub Royal was not a musical like the others.
Photo Edouard Plante-Fréchette, the press archives
Pub Royal During the first performance in Quebec, in November 2023. At the center: Kevin Houle.
“It was full, all the time full!” And it raised every night. “The representations then added, in 2024, then in 2025 …” There, we have holds until 2027! I do not know if we are going to go so far, but he appears that it works, “says Kevin Houle, who considers that the secret of the success of Pub Royal Resides as much in the brilliant writing of the songwriter Jean-François Pauzé as in “his truth and his honesty”.
Pivotal character with a very raised distribution, Kevin Houle shines in this show created by the 7 fingers of the hand. Narrator of the story, he sings, dance, plays … and even makes acrobatics! “I do a lot, but it was I who asked it. I love it, ”he said happily.
We can therefore see him climb the Chinese mast, make banquine, a salto before … which he dreams of transforming into a rear salto when they come back to play in Montreal in December. Isn’t he afraid to hurt himself? ” No. It is the most beautiful rehearsal conditions that I had. We practiced it so much, this show! »»
Photo Marco Campanozzi, the presses
Kevin Houle in rehearsal, Monday
When we met him in the premises of the 7 fingers in Montreal on Monday, Kevin Houle was also in rehearsal with his colleagues-on stage, they are eight singers-actors, seven dancers and six acrobats. “We make a chain when it has been more than a month since we played it. The show has not changed since 2023, but it is above all superructed, he believes.
Photo Marco Campanozzi, the presses
Actor-singer Kevin Houle
The screws are perfectly tight. The important thing is to make sure to maintain the level 100 %. I learned that with Serge Denoncourt, on Hair and on Annie : people, they want to see us working, give themselves as if it was the first time that we played it. I make a point of honor.
Kevin Houle
When he feels a “little soft” before a show, it is even he who “crins” the troop. “So that when the curtain opens, everyone has the knife between their teeth. »Master of ceremonies on stage, but also behind the scenes?
“It’s a bit of a positive leadership that comes with this kind of character. I am not a conflict, when there are hits, I can’t wait for it. I like everyone to be united. But it’s easy, it’s a gang that loves itself a lot, a great group. »»
Continuity
Pub Royal has been presented fifteen times in Europe since its creation. First at the Grand Rex in Paris in April 2024, then in a tour of the Zenith in the spring of 2025 – precisely the kind of immense rooms where the food cowboys were regularly performed. “Each time, we said to ourselves, so let’s see … it’s amazing, 10,000 people singing The shooting stars at the end! It’s beautiful to see how these songs have shone. »»
During this mainly French tour, but which also took them to Belgium and Switzerland, they lived a little the life of Rock Stars, says the actor. “It was spectacular the nineteen number that followed us. It’s not a Madonna show, let’s see! “If he did not take advantage of the opportunity to can be canvassing for a possible French career -” I did not even think about it! -, he took advantage of everything else.
In the second act, my character arrives a little later. I remember, in Lille, I heard people applaud while I was walking in a corridor with blue neon lights. I saw myself as slowdown with my costume, I had chills and I said to myself: but what am I going there? It is really a privilege.
Kevin Houle
The people he meets in the street tell him more and more often about his role in Pub Royal. “And it always surprises me as much!” “, He said, admitting that 175,000 spectators in less than two years, it’s still a lot of people. Despite everything, he is not ready to say that there will be a “before” and a “after” Pub Royal in his career.
“I have the misery to assess this. The world of arts, culture, the way it goes to the public … I’ve been doing this job for 20 years, I see it has changed. I lost hope a bit, I have the impression that nothing can explode a career. »»
Photo Edouard Plante-Fréchette, the press archives
Pub Royal During the first performance in Quebec, in November 2023
But it is aware that a “so versatile” role, in a work that arouses such an enthusiastic reaction, could never go back. “He is there, the” before “and the” after “. And there is the pride of carrying a Quebec spectacle, which is like a thinning despite its pessimism in the face of the future.
“Seeing people who are passionate about a story and songs made here is rich. »»
When asked what we can wish him, Kevin Houle answers: continuity. As much for him as for our culture. “Everything that is unifying dies, and each death reminds us of how strong Quebec culture was. Everyone knows And musician among many … But what are we going to talk about, which work of 2025 are we going to remember? Of Pub Royal, maybe ! »»
Pub Royalfrom August 6 to 16 at the Maisonneuve theater in Place des Arts
Consult the show website
