Nigerian cabaret artist Le Gateau Chocolat has travelled the world with his very distinctive sound and look, performing to sell out audiences, in iconic settings such as the Sydney Opera House. He brings a much more intimate show to London’s Soho Theatre this month. ‘Black’ promises to be a personal and raw autobiographical piece that will delve into the singer’s hope and fears as well as his battle with depression. Jason Reid spoke to him about that battle, and more, this week… Â
It’s safe to say that you’re baring your soul to some extent in this new show. How daunting is that?Â
Incredibly. A terrifying prospect to go that deep and bare, with an audience present. The issues I deal with in the piece are a huge part of the man and performer I am, but not exclusive to me. It’s a task that seemed insurmountable without the help of my friend and director, Edward Burnside, but it is something that I felt it was time to discuss.
The ‘humanity of the performer’ is something you say you want to convey…Â
One of my primary aims was to try and transcend the obvious talking points: my colour, my size, my sexuality, my Lycra-wearing antics and highlight the truth. That before all of those elements, which some might consider outlandish, I’m a person first, with the same aspirations; to be loved, to laugh, to live persecution free, to dream and find the means to achieving them.
What kind of connotations does the word ‘black’ hold for you?Â
I’ve always been ‘black’ – even growing up in Nigeria. That may seem weird, but for me, the word has come to mean being the outsider and I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t. The show explores other memes of black; black dog, black and blue, black music, black sheep. It was of the utmost importance that I explored the idea, that at some point in our lives, regardless of your colour, you would’ve had a ‘black’ experience.
You share your own personal experiences of ‘the black dog’ [depression] in the show. Do you think it’s still a taboo subject?Â
Yes. There’s always been a ‘stiff upper lip’ approach to it. And comparing it to what some might deem real, tangible problems leaves one with the feeling of it not being worthy of discussion.
Is there a shame attached? One that makes opening up difficult?Â
An inherent shame, from what I experienced; this coupled with the lack of understanding people had, or the offered resolution of ‘cheer up’ or ‘what’s wrong?’ Not having an answer to this made them frustrated and me, in return, retreat further making this a very dangerous condition. I’ve lost friends to the ultimate darkness – friends who’ve lost the will to continue fighting and that’s what’s terrifying. There’s no definitive way to go about talking about it, except hoping for understanding, patience and education.
In time, do you think the stigma will be broken down?Â
It’ll happen, but as with most things that society doesn’t understand or is afraid of, it’ll happen slowly and incrementally. Gay marriage was once improbable, being gay in Nigeria is as recently as last year, outlawed. Celebrities such as Stephen Fry and Ruby Wax publicly lend a voice that gives the condition a licence to be real to the public. The currency of their outspokenness must never be underestimated. There’s a slow turning of the tide. We’ll get there, we just have to keep ebbing away at the ignorance.
Often labeled as an invisible disease, how would you describe to the layman what depression feels like at its worst?Â
Imagine lights suddenly going out, and with them, taking your drive, your lust for life, your ability to socialise, your appetite. A darkness that has a profound effect not only on your vision but your entire being. At my worst, I felt like I had lead in my veins. I lay in bed for days on end finding it a real struggle to even turn over.
What practical or emotional advice would you give to fellow sufferers?Â
In the thick of it, it always seems insurmountable. As it’s cyclical, for me anyway, and it’s likely that you’ve beaten a bout before. Remember what helped, remember beating it, which sometimes helps. That’s much easier said than done. I’ve sometimes found my physiology so drastically altered that I’m incapacitated. In that scenario I look to friends, family and just hope.
Moving on to the music in the show, you’ve packed in plenty of variety…Â
Yes, there’s an eclectic mix of songs; Wagner, Gershwin, Purcell, Nina Simone, Whitney Houston, Bernstein and some original music. It’s a rather taxing combination to perform nightly but a challenge that I relish as I absolutely adore this repertoire.
• Le Gateau Chocolat presents ‘Black’ at Soho Theatre (21 Dean Street, London, W1D 3NE) from Mon 12th – Saturday 24th May, 9.15pm. Tickets: www.sohotheatre.com
