Sunday, the Bobar Comedy Club will celebrate its first anniversary. A special day is organized. It’s the perfect opportunity to learn more about the owners of this laughter-inducing venue. We discuss this festival with Pascal Schiavonne and Caroline Renault.
Between Pascal Schiavone and Caroline Renault, it’s a story of love and humor. For while Pascal had dreams as a child of managing cultural events, Caroline fell in love with stand-up after meeting him. Since 2015, he has organized monthly shows with Vynil at the Oxford pub, where musicians and comedians perform. But he wasn’t content with just that: in 2019, he developed the Grosse Prod’ association on his own. At that point, he met Caroline, who joined the adventure. Together, they organized comedy shows at the Corner, La Petite Java, and L’Expérience, in Cannes. In 2023, with the experience gained, they created Bobar. Each has their role: he handles the artists, and she manages the administration. Their venture is a project that has allowed 350 artists (including 100 from Nice) to perform on their stage, with no less than 11,000 tickets sold.
In recent years, numerous comedy clubs have opened and found their audience. Were you responding to a demand from the people of Nice?
Pascal: We started to realize the enthusiasm when we participated with Grosse Prod’ in Mon été à Nice, a cultural project set up by the city. We performed as the opening act for musical artists at the Jardin du Ray. From that moment, people began to take us seriously because they noticed that people were coming just to see the comedians, leaving before the concert. We understood then that what we were offering wasn’t just an empty offering; there was demand for stand-up! When we resumed the shows at the Oxford: they opened the doors at 8 PM, and by 7:30 PM, there were already 50 people lining up to secure a spot for the stand-up. I was just waiting to have enough artists and an audience to settle in permanently.
Caroline: The first Comedy Club in France was the Jamel Comedy Club in 2010. In the past five years, comedy clubs have been emerging in the provinces. In Nantes, there were already three Comedy Clubs! We thought that in Nice, the fifth largest city in France, it wasn’t normal not to have one! Every audience is different, but the people of Nice love to laugh just as much as everyone else.
The Bobar Comedy Club is celebrating its first anniversary. How has the journey been so far?
Pascal: The Bobar is here to prove that there’s no need to go to Paris to make a name for yourself. I’ve seen many artists get lost in the Parisian jungle. In Nice, there was a niche to fill, and we seized it. One year has flown by so fast. In reality, it’s more than just a year for us: we signed the lease in 2022. From that moment, we’ve been continuously working on the project, with our heads down, focused on it.
Caroline: This marks one year of life, but there was two years of preparation (laughs). Things have moved swiftly, yet it feels obvious. It’s as if it’s always been part of our lives. We don’t quite feel the passage of time for the anniversary: it’s been two years since we’ve had any real vacation. Perhaps when we toast at midnight, it will feel more tangible, indicating that season 1 has concluded, since we’re heading off for vacation from September 2 to 18 inclusive.
Sunday is not going to be an ordinary evening, why?
Pascal: First of all, it’s a Sunday. Sundays are meant to be spent with family, and that’s what we want to create with Bobar: a family atmosphere. Even if you come alone, you are united through laughter, the most universal thing.
Caroline: The program includes regular faces from Bobar and the comedy scene. At 1 PM, 3 PM, 5 PM, and 7 PM there will be comedy shows, followed by live music with Romano Vivarelli. We’ll see comedians who represent us the most, but there’s also a twist: comedians will perform with constraints or a given theme. Imposed words, the audience choosing the lineup… the aim is to spice up the evening! Some have written a special piece for Bobar’s anniversary. For every drink purchased, you can spin a wheel, with prizes including free tickets, discounts, goodies, and funny penalties! We’re also organizing a raffle with tickets at 2 euros, with up to 200 euros in prizes.
How do you select the comedians?
Pascal: Increasingly, we are gaining national recognition because the Comedy Club is well-known among comedians. With our English-speaking shows, we’re also known internationally, with comedians coming from India, the United States, Poland, Norway… I have a good relationship with a production manager who often sends comedians my way. These are exchanges: trust is the most important thing in this field.
Caroline: Today, we have fewer and fewer available slots! Over 200 comedians who have performed at Bobar come from all over France. So when they return to their resident Comedy Club, they talk about Bobar. That’s how the word of mouth of stand-up works. Most of them contact us through Instagram. For those we don’t know, we ask for a video of their stand-up. We often let them perform on Wednesdays because it’s free entry. Also, we trust our regular comedians who connect us with artists they’ve met.
The Bobar Comedy Club has set the bar high, hosting numerous artists like Jarry, Kev Adams, Roman Frayssinet. What’s next?
Pascal: Indeed, a lot has happened in just one year. We had goals that were achieved within the first six months. For example, we were invited to the Montreux gala last year. We saw comedians who are recognized by the general public. I tell myself that it’s always just the beginning. Also, in the future, we plan to implement a ‘Residents’ system at Bobar. House comedians will perform under the Bobar name.
Caroline: It puts pressure on us! The first year went well. Comedy Clubs work by season, but for us, it’s akin to school years ultimately. For the future, the goal is to do even better. We’re ready, we’re enthusiastic, we’re not here to sit idly by! But who do we invite now as a headliner?
What would you say to someone who’s never visited?
Pascal: What are you waiting for? (Laughs). We often have people who come and tell us it’s a shame they only discovered us now. At Bobar, it’s the word of mouth that works. So, for those who haven’t come yet: find better friends who can tell you about us! (laughs).
Caroline: I want to explain that everyone laughs at Bobar. We have a very diverse program with various styles, so there’s at least one artist in the lineup that people will enjoy.
Practical Information:
Located at 27 Rue Benoît Bunico, 06300 Nice, the Bobar Comedy Club welcomes you on Sunday, September 1 from 12 PM to midnight. To book a stand-up show for their anniversary, click here.
