The allegations of sexual misconduct against Philippe Bond did not taint the atmosphere of the Just for Laughs gala hosted by Phil Roy and Roxane Bruneau on Thursday evening. The comedy community pulled itself out of the turmoil for a short show, but masterfully led by the duo of animators.
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It’s hard to believe that this was Roxane Bruneau’s first comedy gala presentation. The singer was not only welcomed like a queen by her cherished “cocos”, but she quickly took to her ease on the boards of an accomplice and enthusiastic Théâtre Maisonneuve.
Photo Martin Alarie
Ludovick Bourgeois came to lend a hand to Roxane Bruneau during the opening number.
Of course, we feared nothing for her, knowing her ease on stage and her complicity with Phil Roy. But to say that the interpreter of success In my way rose to the occasion would almost be an understatement because of his disarming naturalness and irresistible personality.
Only downside? The (too many) gags and allusions to the weight of his co-host seemed not only redundant, but above all straight out of another era – thank God! — gone.
Photo Martin Alarie
Phil Roy was as usual, endearing, efficient and, above all, funny.
Highlights
Among the highlights of the show, Simon Delisle was particularly effective with a number articulated around … the pandemic. A subject of which we admit to being a little tired, but which the comic has managed to turn to his advantage thanks to his obvious talent as a storyteller and his gags damn well written and delivered.
Eddy King also proved to be surprisingly touching and profound with a segment on a particularly thorny subject: the war in Ukraine. Drawing inspiration from his pain in explaining the tragic events to his eight-year-old daughter, the comedian hit the mark in front of a conquered audience.
Silvi Tourigny offered the most deliciously offbeat moment of the evening by bringing back her famous tongue-in-cheek character Carole — and her equally famous turtleneck — for a festive number (well, by her standards ).
Star and discovery
The star of the evening, however, goes to an Adib Alkhalidey at the top of his form who took the opportunity to flay Guillaume Lemay-Thivierge and Anne Casabonne, receiving the most enthusiastic ovation of the evening. This feat becomes all the more impressive given that the comedian has chosen to present a new number at each of the four galas of the festival.
This gala also allowed us to discover the young Antoni Remillard, a name that we will now be watching closely. Her number, almost entirely devoted to her myopia and her glasses, may have been a little long at times, but we especially remember her undeniable charisma and her endearing look.
We were still surprised when the show ended after some 70 minutes, a bit short for many spectators, who showed their disappointment when they left the room. One of them, visibly incredulous, also accosted an usher at the end of the show, believing that it was in fact a simple intermission.
►The Galas continue Friday and Saturday with evenings led by Richardson Zéphir and Eddy King, then Rosalie Vaillancourt, respectively.