“Do you think we’ll have more spectators than at the Louis II stadium?” Patson wonders. Like the other students of the Jamel Comedy Club, he knows little of the principality and jokes: “Monaco is the only soccer club where players know the names of supporters, and not the other way around.” They came by the rock a month before to present their show. Press conferences are not their thing. But they let themselves get caught up in the game, enjoying the pleasure of meeting the audience waiting for them in Monaco on December 7th. They’re quick to respond to journalists so they can ask their own questions afterward. About the city, about the shows that preceded them.
The best improvisation is the one that’s prepared, confide the 4 artists. Proof: in the conference, Thomas stumbles a little. To find his footing, he recounts how Stand Up was born in the United States at the beginning of the century. The Jamel Comedy Club revives this street comedy, presenting 11 young artists spotted by the unmissable Jamel Debbouze and his friend, the director Kader Aoun. Each one has 7 minutes to perform their sketch, inspired by everyday life. The goal is to make a name for themselves and eventually stand on their own.
An obligatory passage for young artists: the press conference. They engage in their way, with humor. This begins a crazy Q&A session. One or two serious answers, and then, the others allow themselves to chain back, quick and provocative.
How would you define the show?
Fabrice: “It talks about love and communities. It’s interactive, we’re sometimes two or three on stage.”
Thomas: “Kader Aoun ensures the show is homogeneous and coherent. But otherwise, everyone writes their own texts; we can say what we want. That’s what’s interesting.”
Patson: “Yes, and it’s not easy to make people laugh these days. You know, with all the problems, the purchasing power, Chad… By the way, if anyone wants to adopt me, I’m black, and I’m already here.”
What did you do before joining the Jamel Comedy Club?
Thomas: “I took acting classes for 7 years. We toured in small venues; we had all crossed paths before. And then we met Kader Aoun two years ago.”
Patson: “People should not think that we are slackers; we really worked hard to afford a real education.”
Blanche: “Not me. I got here by sleeping around.”
What are your relationships with Jamel Debbouze?
Thomas: “On nights when Jamel is tired, we are too. He’s sort of the locomotive.”
Fabrice: “He’s someone very accessible. He gives us advice, and we can also give him our critiques. Otherwise, it’s true that Jamel is problem number 1 of the show. He’s the leader, but the quality of his performances…”
How do you see yourselves after the Jamel Comedy Club?
Thomas: “Believe me, you haven’t stopped hearing about me!”
Blanche: “After the 14th edition of the Jamel Comedy Club, I’ll be too old to continue… And I’m writing scripts.”
Patson: “I’ll have enough money to pay off my parents’ loans. I also have an album coming out in the spring. And, the interest is that we have built real things in the long run.”
Fabrice: “I don’t know; we are living in uncertain times. Here, I’ll start a philosophical debate: can we talk about the future in 2007? Seriously, we live day by day and enjoy the luck of the moment.”
Making each other laugh is still what they prefer. A small, close-knit group, around their passion for the stage. The atmosphere of this meeting promises a funny and warm show.
