The one-man show

A performance with music, dance and stories

Performed by Hervé Goffings
Written by Michael Birch and Hervé Goffings
Directed by Michael Birch

In HERVÉ I want to give the audience moving and powerful stories, with plenty to think about – and also laugh about. If you are curious about different cultures, music, languages, travel and identity, this is the show for you.

TRAILER

ABOUT THE SHOW

Born in Mali (North West Africa) of Malian parents, I was adopted at birth by an unconventional white Belgian couple who travelled the world. The extraordinary tale of my adoption and upbringing was made into this provocative and humorous, one-man theatre show titled HERVÉ. In the show I take you on an hour long journey full of unexpected twists, turns and deep emotions. We travel from Africa to Belgium, from Cuba to the south of France and Paris, not forgetting the UK where I now live. I will introduce you to colourful members of my African and adoptive family. All of them have led extraordinary lives and the performance interweaves and contrasts their stories with mine. Delving into issues of race and individuality, the show explores how I became the man I am today. HERVÉ is a highly entertaining piece about a deadly serious matter – diversity.

STREET PErFORMER

In common with many actors, I struggled financially, and developed a talent for busking. I became an excellent and very popular street performer in London and Glasgow, entertaining people with my dancing and dance impersonations. The show takes the style of a busked performance with a mixture of storytelling, singing and dancing. In line with the busking theme the music is played through a “beat-box”. The music and the songs are in a wide variety of styles that have been part of my life, from traditional Malian music to salsa, rap and Gershwin‘s opera Porgy & Bess.

Fringe AWard

The show was nominated for an Edinburgh Fringe First award. Apart from Udderbelly at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, HERVÉ has been performed at The Drayton Arms Theatre – Bastille Festival, The Southbank Centre – Being A Man Festival, The Cockpit – Voilà! Festival, The Arcola – Grimeborn Festival, The Burton Taylor Studio – Offbeat Festival, The New Wolsey Theatre – Pulse Festival, the Tristan Bates Theatre – FIRST Festival of Solo Performance, Théâtre des Feux de la Rampe – Paris Fringe Festival, Théâtre de Menilmontant – Dreams Before Dawn Festival.

HERVÉ has also been performed at The Old Red Lion, Tara Arts, The Rosemary Branch Theatre, The Community Trust Centre and The Trinity Arts Centre in Leeds.

SCHOOL PERFORMANCES

I love performing an adaptation of my one-man show for secondary schools (suitable for year 10 and above). The show lasts an hour with an optional 20 minutes Q&A with the students. The different themes of the show makes it ideal for a black history month event.

PICTURES OF THE SHOW

Photographer: Camilla Greenwell

If you want to book my show contact me

REVIEWS

“...Personal stories are naturally emotional, performed with a gentle beauty. His physical confidence can’t hide a vulnerability that is quite stunning...”

— 3 Weeks