(LE/THE) PAIN

JD Broussé

The only (gay) son of the only baker in the village

Jean Daniel Broussé is the only son of a third generation baker. Destined to follow in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and great grandfather and inherit the family bakery in rural France… But JD is queer, a circus artist, and intolerant to patriarchy; he is not a baker.

(le/the) Pain is the unexpected chapter in the bakery story. A journey through bread making, acrobatics and growing up in strait-laced provincial France, that reverberates with the tragedy, comedy and joy of making a break for it.

“JD’s story is often poignant, often painful, but it is sprinkled with mischief and dusted with humour. ★★★★

”

— Financial Times

“The making of bread as a metaphor for the shaping of a life is unforced and very funny. ★★★★

”

— The Guardian

Teaser (le/the) Pain in English

Teaser (le/the) Pain en français

Premiere: 2020 (UK) / 2025 (France)
Set-up: Indoor
Running time: 55 minutes
Language: English, French or Occitan
Touring party: 2
Minimum stage dimensions: 5m wide x 4m deep
Age guidance: 16+ (contains nudity)
Devised and performed by Jean Daniel Broussé
Director: Ursula Martinez
Movement Director: Leah Marojevic
Acrobatic Consultant: Charlie Wheeller
Lighting Design: Joe Hornsby
Costumes: Max Allen
Original Music: Samir Kennedy
Producer: Di Robson
Production Manager: Hannah Blamire
Technical Stage Manager: Fergus Waldron
Projections: Sam Williams
Video Material created by Jean-Daniel Broussé, Laurie Warman, Evelyne Larran
Co-commissioners: Warwick Arts Centre, London International Mime Festival
Funders: Arts Council England Lottery Funded, Jerwood Circus Residencies
Thanks to: Betrand Broussé, Myriam Broussé, Staff of Boulangerie Broussé
“The making of bread as a metaphor for the shaping of a life is unforced and very funny.”
The Guardian ★★★★
“JD’s story is often poignant, often painful, but it is sprinkled with mischief and dusted with humour ”
Financial Times ★★★★
“(le/the) Pain seems to capture a moment of profound change in our civilisation”
The Scotsman ★★★★
“Jean-Daniel Broussé created an experience that was witty”
The Student ★★★★★
“(le/the) Pain brilliantly expresses the pressure of generational expectations and a small-village mindset”
The Skinny ★★★★
“(le/the) Pain is simply wonderful, both playful and sincere.”
The Stage
JD offers a wide range of wrap-around activities, including: post-show discussions, acrobatics workshops, dance workshops. Available for all ages and levels.
Jean-Daniel Broussé is an emerging figure on both the London and Marseille performance scenes, working at the intersection of circus, dance, theatre and comedy. After studying literature and history at Bordeaux III and UCL London, he trained at the National Centre for Circus Arts, developing a distinctly multidisciplinary approach.
His first show, Knot, co-created with Nikki Rummer, received international acclaim, winning Best Circus Show at the Total Theatre Awards and a prestigious Herald Angel Award at the Edinburgh Festival.
Over the course of his career, JD has collaborated with numerous circus companies in France and the UK, including Barely Methodical Troupe, Superfan, Compagnie Bestia, Compagnie Ratpack and Compagnie Gratte-Ciel. He also performed alongside celebrated artist Lucy McCormick in Life: Live.
More recently, he received a personal nomination for Best Male Performance for his role as Hades in Ruination, a dance-theatre piece presented at the Venice Biennale, the Royal Opera House in London, and Théâtre de la Ville in Paris.
He is also the co-creator of The Shit Show, a cheeky and anarchic queer cabaret in Marseille.
His debut solo piece, (le/the) Pain, is an intimate and daring work co-produced by London International Mime Festival, Warwick Arts Centre, Jerwood Arts and Arts Council England.
For more information, please contact Axel Satgé:
axel@yelloweverything.com.