The Just for Laughs festival in Montreal hosted a soirée dedicated to French humor on Thursday, bringing a historic, almost exclusively French lineup to a major outdoor stage. Featuring stars like Kev Adams and Rita Baga, the event aimed to provide a lift to our cousins following France’s World Cup defeat.
Here is the thing: this wasn’t just another comedy showcase. It was a tradition for the festival to celebrate the Francophonie, but this time, it was a nearly all-French (blue-white-red) alignment. A first for a major outdoor show in the festival’s history.
The Bottom Line
- Historic Shift: First time a major outdoor Just for Laughs show featured a nearly all-French (blue-white-red) alignment.
- Talent Pipeline: Rising stars like Sarah Lélé are on the list of humorists to follow in the coming years.
Kev Adams and the Art of Localized Globalism
Hosting a show is one thing; winning over a Montreal crowd is another. Kev Adams, who has recently shone at the auditions of America’s Got Talent, didn’t just rely on his celebrity. He did his homework. By dropping references to Jean Coutu and the modified cars of Terrebonne, Adams signaled to the audience that he has a good knowledge of his market.
Amandine Lourdel and Noam Sinseau provided the spark, but it was the energy of Rita Baga—performing a “Rita Baguienne” version of La Marseillaise—that actually broke the ice. It was a moment of original and energizing patriotism that served as the perfect palate cleanser.
The High-Stakes Gamble of Cultural Commentary
Comedy is a game of risk, and Thursday night had a few high-rollers. Jarry, the king of “crowd work,” entered the stage with a cloud of skepticism hanging over him. After creating several awkward moments (malaises) during last year’s festival, the tension was palpable. Thankfully, he was faithful to himself, but much less misplaced than last year.
Then there was Thomas Wiesel. The Swiss comedian did what few others dare: he poked fun at Quebec separatism. He succeeded, however, because he paired it with a sharp observation about anglophone Canadian politicians forced to debate in French.
Here is the kicker: while the veterans played the hits, the real discovery was Sarah Lélé. The Belgian comedian of Cameroonian origin brought an intelligent humor that stood out. She is on our list of humorists to follow in the coming years.
| Performer | Key Strategy | Audience Reception |
|---|---|---|
| Kev Adams | Localized Quebec references | High / Crowd Control |
| Rita Baga | Subversive National Anthem | Electric / Energizing |
| Sarah Lélé | Intellectual Comedy | High / “One to Watch” |
| Thomas Wiesel | Political Satire (Separatism) | Risky / Successful |
| Jarry | Crowd Work | Improved from last year |
The “Série Stand-up” and the Danger of the Dead Air
Not everything was a standing ovation. The 8:00 PM slot, managed by Justin Morissette, had the grueling task of warming up the crowd. The lineup—Gabrielle Caron, Anne-Sarah Charbonneau, François Boulianne, and Biko—faced a brutal reality: the silence of a crowd. The silence was difficult for the ears at times. The series continues until July 19, with different comedians each night, and always Justin Morissette as host.
Contrast that with the closing moments of the main show. Michaël Gregorio bringing a fan on stage for a duet of J’irai où tu iras wasn’t just a musical break; it was a moment of strength for this evening that celebrated Franco-Quebecois fraternity, with Goldman and Dion in support.
The Broader Industry Play: Why This Matters
The lack of arrows from the French performers toward Quebec was telling. Usually, they have the habit of teasing the Belle Province, but that was far from the case Thursday. We felt the French were sincerely delighted to play in the kingdom of humor that is Montreal.
The night proved that while the World Cup might be lost, the cultural exchange is winning.
What do you think?
