Bart De Pauw, the former television maker, is set to make his much-anticipated comeback with his new theater show "Het uur van de olifant". After nearly eight years away from the Flemish television scene, he announced today the details of his tour, which has already seen over 30,000 tickets sold within hours of release. The excitement around this performance is palpable, with De Pauw scheduled to perform at the Capitole Gent nine times.
Gathering the press at Café De Frisse Jongen in Melle, De Pauw quipped, "I will have to be a fresh young man myself this coming month." The location is symbolic for him, as he previously made Melle famous through his character 'De Man van Melle', who will also make his return for this show. "It's risky to bring back old successes, but if you innovate with them, it's possible," he noted.
Initially announcing his return to the stage, De Pauw caught the public’s attention, culminating with 19 shows scheduled across various locations throughout Flanders. He promises to deliver a diverse evening filled with videos, sketches, and storytelling. During his announcement, he expressed his intent to "bring television to the stage" but remained coy about future television endeavors, stating, "First, the show; later, we'll see."
At the press conference, the audience learned more about his performance. Although specifics about the show were minimal, De Pauw stated the title, "Het uur van de olifant", would serve as the show’s central theme, humorously describing the elephant as "a fantastic animal". The logo reflects his desire to draw humor from both his past and the present atmosphere. The meaning of the show's title remains somewhat elusive, as he remarked, "If you want to know the underlying thread, you will have to come watch." He assured attendees it would be filled with laughter, summarizing the evening with, "Laughing, laughing, laughing".
With strong ticket sales indicating demand, many fans, as well as detractors, seem to embrace his return. De Pauw acknowledged the audience's excitement, often thanking those who had purchased tickets. When asked about the necessity of addressing his past controversies, particularly the MeToo allegations, he maintained focus on the performance itself, skirting questions about the subject. "Not everything I make is for everyone. I have a loyal audience, and I create for them," he asserted.
Despite public speculation on his return to television, De Pauw has remained non-committal. Earlier, he stated during his first interview of the tour, upon appearing on 'Tafel van Gert', television was off the table. Recently, De Pauw hinted at remaining open to possibilities but prioritized his stage performance. "Each night, people buy tickets especially for you, which gives it warmth," he said, reflecting on the intimate nature of live shows.
With his theater tour kicking off on April 29 at the Antwerp Stadsschouwburg followed by stops in Hasselt and Roeselare, fans are eager to see what else De Pauw has planned. It's already clear he has significant support within Flanders, with famous figures and fans voicing their encouragement. Public reactions across social media show enthusiasm for the show, proving there is still demand for his specific style of humor, even after four years of contentious headlines.
The story of Bart De Pauw is complex, filled with bumps but also marked by resilience. While skepticism may linger around his personal controversies, the overwhelming ticket sales suggest many are ready to welcome him back with open arms. The success of his performances could be pivotal—both for his career and for how the public perceives him. Will he reclaim his place among Flanders' entertainment elite? Only time will tell, but for now, the excitement is unmistakable.