At 32 years old, this passionate artist is completely self-taught. Dancer, pianist and tap virtuoso, Aurélien Lehmann will grace Samaritaine with his presence on multiple weekends throughout November and December to showcase his exceptional talent. He will also be giving us a peek behind the curtain into the world of 42nd Street at the Théâtre du Châtelet, one of Samaritaine's partners. This interview is sure to keep you on your toes!

How did dance become a part of your life?
I don't have any training. I used to be a rugby player in Lille, and was drawn to tap dancing from an early age. When I was around 15 years old, I watched all the tapes of Fred Astaire, Bill Bailey, Bill Robinson, Rita Hayworth… It just looked like magic to me. It's so fast that you can't even tell where the sound is coming from! I attached plates to my dress shoes, asked my father to buy me a board, and little by little I unlocked these rhythmical combinations and sequences. It became an obsession.

When did you turn it into a job?
I lived several different lives before coming back to tap dance: as a cabaret singer at the Caveau de la République and online, as a student at Sciences Po University, then as a professor of modern literature. Then, in June of 2012, I saw Savion Glover's show "SoLo in Time," and all of those childhood dreams came flooding back. I worked odd jobs for 2 years so that I could devote myself to my training, and I learned the piano to further indulge in the art of swing. I also transformed myself physically — my rugby-player's shoulders were far too cumbersome for dancing! In 2016 I set up my school, Tap Dance Paris.

What were the first shows you performed?
During the Covid-19 crisis, I mulled over this idea that I had for a video about the history of classical music and tap dance. I met with pianist François-René Duchâble, who offered to join me on this adventure. The Théâtre du Châtelet took an interest and wanted to make it into a show, and on February 6, 2022 "Tap Virtuoso" was performed in front of 2,000 people. I still can't believe it!

How do you feel when you're on stage?
I put my entire body and soul into it! I feel completely connected with the audience. To truly master tap dancing, you have to simultaneously be in a state of relaxation and physical exertion. I don't play a character — I'm just myself, with my love for tap dance and music.

What kind of a stage is Samaritaine for you?
Samaritaine evokes both Parisian history and refinement. It's an honor to be able to represent the Théâtre du Châtelet at this prestigious venue. To me, the store is a theater stage on a smaller scale, which allows me to involve the audience more directly. I have to catch their eye, I have to captivate them… it's an exciting challenge!

What would you like Samaritaine's customers to take away from your performances?
I would like to make a physical impact, take over the space and pay tribute to the spirit of the musical 42nd Street. I try to take the audience on a journey through the different eras, with a touch of something personal. Some parts won't be choreographed. Depending on how I feel, I'll let myself get carried away with improvisation, which requires a high level of proficiency!

Performance d’Aurélien Lehmann au rez-de-chaussée de la Samaritaine, les 26 et 27 novembre et les 3,4,10,11 et 17, 18 décembre.

42nd Street at the Théâtre du Châtelet, from December 7, 2022 and January 15, 2023.