Bart De Pauw, the Belgian television personality, is making headlines as he prepares for his theater comeback with his new show titled 'Het uur van de olifant.' During his recent press conference, which took place in a compact venue, he offered some insights about the upcoming production, but few specifics were revealed. The public's curiosity surrounding the show has been evident, coupled with strong ticket sales since the announcement.
De Pauw emphasized the aim of the press conference was to address these curiosities, stating, "Het zal een leuke, fijne en humoristische avond worden. Dat was de voornaamste boodschap van zijn persconferentie." Following this sentiment, he confirmed the return of his character, 'De Man van Melle,' but reassured audiences it would not be the same version from thirty years ago. The new iteration will be more of a “2.0 version,” according to De Pauw, who left the details somewhat cryptic yet intriguing.
The title of the show, 'Het uur van de olifant,' sparked immediate interest, with the elephant being referenced as the central theme of the evening. De Pauw cheekily remarked, "Er zullen ook filmpjes te zien zijn. Maar het wordt vooral heel erg grappig, aldus De Pauw." This balance of humor interspersed with questions left the media pondering the exact nature of the evening’s entertainment.
While addressing questions about the production team for the theater tour, De Pauw remained vague. He noted, "Hij wil focussen op de show. Met andere woorden: over de olifant in de zaal zal vooral gezwegen worden," cleverly dodging inquiries about any past controversies possibly woven through the performance. Many speculated whether the shadows of De Pauw’s previous MeToo-related issues would come to light, but his focus seemed to remain on creating humor and joy.
The audience's reception to De Pauw's return has been overwhelmingly positive, as reflected by his ticket sales. Within the first fifteen minutes of release, over 3,000 tickets flew off the shelves, eventually accumulating to around 30,000 sold by the time of the press meeting. His enthusiasm was palpable as he thanked fans for their support, stating, "Wie wil komen, koopt een kaartje. Wie daar geen behoefte aan heeft, blijft gewoon thuis." This approach reinforces his belief of letting the audience choose the entertainment they crave.
This rapid ticket-selling suggests there’s significant interest from the public for De Pauw’s humor, an indication he is genuinely welcome back. Notably, he’s already announced two additional shows due to overwhelming demand. During the event, he occasionally broke out with jokes, though they sometimes felt forced, which raised questions about his readiness for the stage. Observers noted the effort he put forth, showing just how much he values the laughter and connection he brings to his audiences.
Looking forward, many are curious about whether De Pauw will return to television. He initially suggested this wasn’t on the cards, but remarks made later seemed less absolute. He hinted, perhaps teasingly, at the possibility of exploring television opportunities after he’s navigated the theater tour, remarking, "Dag per dag, zo klinkt het." His shifting stance indicates he is keeping options open, much to the delight of fans, as they hope to see more from him on their screens.
Overall, Bart De Pauw's return to the stage marks not just a personal comeback, but also highlights the dynamics of audience expectation and public sentiment. With rising ticket sales and enthusiastic supporters, there's no denying the charm he still holds. This upcoming show promises to be both entertaining and pivotal, setting the stage for what could be not just his return but also his evolution as a performer. Only time will reveal the true meaning behind 'Het uur van de olifant'—and whether it will truly address the 'elephants' of his past as well.