Nice Premium: Fabrice, are we going to have some “Fits of Laughter” for the 7th time in the old town?
Fabrice Mauro: Indeed! For us, as for many festival lovers, each new edition is essential, and it’s clear that mid-October, Francis Gag hosts the Fits of Laughter. That being said, if someone had told me 7 years ago that the festival would last this long, I would have never believed it. Today, I feel no fatigue. Proof of this is the number of applications we receive each year to headline (about ten for four spots) and candidates for the showcases (about twenty for four spots). It’s encouraging…
NP: Who will be on the program this year?
FM: As tradition, we start on Wednesday the 14th with our friend Richard Cairaschi, who kindly returns to perform what I consider his best show “My Wife is Perfect.” On Thursday the 15th, the explosive Anthony Joubert will erupt at Francis Gag with “Season 1”. For the record, Anthony is the national finalist from the show “Incredible Talent” on M6. On Friday the 16th, it’s the turn of the Trimarrants, last year’s audience award winners, to take the stage with “Like on TV”. The 2008 Fits of Laughter audience loved and awarded the Trimarrants, so they will perform their entire show for us.
NP: A 100% Nice-themed evening is also planned for Saturday, right?
FM: Yes, Saturday the 17th, the famous Serata Nissarda. From day one, 7 years ago, we dreamed of organizing an evening dedicated to Nice humor in honor of our language. The festival needed to reach a certain maturity… and it has! We’re going to have a feast. I should mention that those who don’t speak the Nice dialect will still understand the plays. On the program, Miquéu Fulconis, a magnificent storyteller, both funny and tender, and then the Barba Zoun, in top form.
NP: We’ll even be able to laugh an extra day for this new edition?
FM: This added date really embodies the spirit of Fits of Laughter. During the summer, we attended a play, Duo on the Couch, performed by an amateur troupe composed of teachers from the TC department of IUT in Nice. It was so hilarious, so well performed, so professional that we invited them to join our festival to delight the people of Nice. An extra slice of laughter is hard to refuse…
NP: Finally, what to hope for the 8th Fits of Laughter?
FM: First of all, that the spectators who come this year will leave with big smiles on their faces. That our artists continue to write funny shows. With the discovery showcases, a new talent will emerge… who will it be?
Each thing in its time. Less than a week to go before the festival, the pressure is on, and with the entire Sian d’Aqui team, we just hope everything goes well.
