Le Petomane
"Ladies and gentlemen, I have the honour to present a session of Petomanie."
In such a manner, Joseph Pujol introduced his act on the stage of the Moulin Rouge. What was it about an obscure performer that drew Parisians in their thousands to the premier variety theatre?
How could a virtual unknown outsell the legendary Sarah Bernhardt and have audiences paralysed with laughter, tears running down their eyes and cheeks? To understand this late 19th Century phenomenon, it is necessary to describe something that years ago would not have found its way into print. In short, Pujol farted.
Pujol was born at nine o'clock in the evening on June 1, 1857. His parents, Francois Pujol, a stonemason, and Rose Demaury, were of Catalan origin but settled in Marseilles. They had five children, of whom Joseph was the eldest.
At 13, he was apprenticed to a baker and, having completed his training, Francois
set him up in his own shop in the Quartier Saint Charles Chuttes-
It was during national service that Pujol discovered his unusual talent. As a crude entertainment for his comrades, he would inhale vast quantities of water through his rear, expelling it in a giant fountain. Further experiments allowed him to duplicate his water trick using air instead.
However, his early forays into show business were as a comedy musician, the 'yokel
with the trombone'. It was only with the encouragement of friends that he adapted
his more unusual artistic skills to the stage and took the name 'Le Petomane' -
He gave his first professional performance in 1887, aged 30, at the Boulevard Chavre. It was an immediate success.
He developed the act in the provinces until he reached Paris in 1892. Insisting on seeing no one else, he persuaded the director of the Moulin Rouge, M Vidler, to engage him. From the first night he was a sensation.
He took the stage in a red coat, a red silk collar and black satin breeches. He began by explaining each impersonation that was to follow.
"This is a little girl... this is a bride on her wedding night (small noise) ... the morning after (loud rasping noise) ... a dressmaker tearing calico (ten seconds of ripping cloth) ... and this a cannon (loud thunder)."
The audience were at first astounded. Then there would be an uncontrollable laugh, followed by more until the whole audience was wriggling in their seats, convulsed. Women, bound rigid in corsets, were escorted from the hall by nurses, cleverly placed by the manager so that they could he seen in their bright white uniforms.
Pujol embarked on a highly successful tour of Europe and North Africa. On his return, he split from the Moulin Rouge and formed his own variety company at the Pompadour Theatre.
He continued to top the bill there until Europe was launched into a madness of its own in 1914. His sons were mobilised and Pujol never went back on stage. He settled in Marseilles to run his bakeries and then moved to Toulon where he established a thriving biscuit factory.
There have been few acts to rival Le Petomane. Pujol had used to the full a talent which nature had bestowed on him. That he has slipped into obscurity says more about our sensibilities than the performer's art.
Pujol died in Toulon in 1945, shortly after the allied landing. He survived his wife Elizabeth by 15 years, leaving ten children and countless grandchildren. In remembering him, his eldest surviving son, Louis said: 'In the course of his long life, he had given of his best.'
© John Barber -
You may be interested in this biography based on Louis Pujol's memories: Le Petomane £5.09 from Amazon
Le Petomane -
This is a short film originally broadcast on UK Channel 4 in 1979. It is poor quality owing to the fact that it was recorded on video at a time when few parts of the UK could receive Channel 4 unless there was a local relay station and even then the quality left a lot to be desired.
The film script was written by Galton & Simpson famous as the creators of Steptoe and Son, directed by Ian MacNaughton and featuring many British character actors.
There are some dramatic liberties with the biographical details but Leonard Rossiter
as ever gives a class performance. In all a marvellous account of one of the most
unique music hall acts ever -
The DVD runs for about 35 minutes and I apologise for the first 10 seconds or so; the commercial break section has been edited out. Owing to the picture quality there is little I can do about DVD cover design but hope that if you visited here the chance to watch a 30 year old masterpiece will overcome the artistic failings.
The cost is just £1.99 plus postage and packing and will ship the DVD worldwide in
own jewel case. Please ensure that you purchase the appropriate version -
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John Barber
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