Marie Gicquel / Photo credits: MYCHELE DANIAU / AFP 12:03pm, October 02, 2023

Until 15th October the Palais Rihour in Lille is devoting an exhibition to the actor Michel Serrault, who died in 2007. The opportunity to discover objects of scenes of the actor, as well as photos, posters or trophies that he received during his career. Europe 1 visited it.

This is the eternal Zaza of the Cage aux Folles. Michel Serrault is in the spotlight at the CinéComédies festival in Lille. The Palais Rihour is devoting a free exhibition to him until 15 October. Costumes, photos, posters and awards... Dozens of objects lent by his daughter Nathalie Serrault that Europe 1 was able to discover this weekend.

He was reluctant to become a priest or a clown. Here is Michel Serrault, fake red nose and grimace, on these touching photos, to make his children laugh or to amuse the gallery of friends. We find Philippe Noiret, Pierre Tchernia and of course Jean Poiret, his alter ego of the boards, with whom he will embody La Cage aux folles.

An exhibition mounted by Nathalie Serrault

It is his daughter, Nathalie Serrault, who mounted this exhibition. "I was 11 when they started La Cage aux Folles and Dad was taking me to the theatre," she recalls. "I had the chance to walk backstage during the play and hear the audience screaming with laughter every night. Like seeing him prepare in his dressing room, it remains an extraordinary childhood memory for me."

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Albin, alias Zaza, the role of his life, will have brought him among others a Cesar and a Donatelo, the Italian film award. Trophies that can be discovered during this exhibition, next to the posters of the film in German or Japanese.