The program for the 31st edition of the Festival du rire has just been unveiled. This year, before the holidays to give some gift ideas for lovers of humor.
“This year, before the holidays, we are unveiling the program for the Festival du rire. This may give gift ideas to some. Last year, many people asked me for it” rejoices Tony Feijoo, president for many years of the festival. .
But before the presentation (see box), he wanted to take stock of recent years. “At a time when social ties are increasingly weakened and following the health crisis, it was very difficult for all the volunteers and myself to have been forced to cancel the 2020 editions and 2021. Fortunately, last year was a success with 500 entries for each show. I would also like to thank the young volunteers who came to join us as well as new partners, young businesses in Villeneuve who believe in what we do”.
“Continue to offer quality shows for all audiences”
To then explain the approach that the festival has been developing for years. “On February 11, on the stage of the cultural center, we are going to offer a show for all audiences with a comedian. It will be a surprise. She has already come as a candidate and is now a confirmed artist. For 30 years, beyond the headliners, the Festival du rire has helped to highlight young talents who are now recognized on national stages. We will continue to maintain auditions as part of the competition in order to give them the chance to participate in other comedy festivals and especially to meet during the festival other directors, show programmers or directors of performance halls. Everyone is looking for new talents. And many of them pass by the bastide and the Georges-Leygues theatre”.
A cultural development tool
But Tony Feijoo sees bigger in the mission of the Festival du rire. “This festival wishes to inscribe its action over time and thus perpetuate its vision of a culture of proximity, a real tool for cultural development, heritage and economic promotion. We work with the full and complete confidence of the town hall and its services of the director of the theater and all the staff. We also have great support from the county council. And I would also like to thank all the volunteers of the festival who do a remarkable job throughout the year and the faithful support and very important to all our partners who contribute to the success of the festival”. Then to thank the public for always coming in such large numbers from all over the department and from further afield. “The artists who come on the stage are always surprised, especially last year, that we fill up the theater. In theaters in Paris, the drop in attendance is around 50%”.
And to finish. “The cultural approach that we lead is aimed at people who live here and from all social or geographical origins. This approach has a tourist and solidarity value. It wishes to promote artistic practices around humor in all its forms”.
On the program of the 31st edition of the Festival du Rire
Tuesday, June 27at the “Les Apollons” cultural center, public prize 2022.Wednesday, June 28at the Georges-Leygues Theater, Hassan of Monaco, Jury Prize 2022.Thursday, June 29at the Georges-Leygues theatre, Elodi Poux.Friday, June 30at the Georges-Leygues theatre, Christophe Alévêque.Saturday July 1, at the Georges-Leygues theatre, Vérino. In the first part of the shows, it is an opportunity for 6 young comedians to take part in the Festival du Rire competition. The 6 candidates will be selected in the coming weeks. The ticket office will be open from December 16th. The price of the pass for the 3 shows (a good gift idea) is set at 70 euros. Individually, it is 30, 25 or 20 euros. The shows start at 8:30 p.m.