When I heard about this great comedy club in Paris for English-speakers, I just had to know more …. so I contacted the owner, Karel Beer, to get some info from the horse’s mouth – enjoy this quick interview:
What is the name of your comedy club in Paris?
Laughing Matters in Paris
The address and opening hours?
La Java – 105 faubourg du Tempe Paris 10 – 8-30pm to 11-30pm
What part do you play in the comedy club?
Host and promoter
How did you get involved with comedy in Paris?
Started here in Paris 1995 – first show was with Eddie Izzard – before that comedians didn’t have the opportunity of traveling to Paris, and with the arrival of Eurostar it seemed like an attractive gig destination that some pretty big names would jump at the chance of visiting. I was proved correct.
Are there different kinds of comedy acts?
Well there is straight ahead stand-up one person and a microphone, then there is musical stand-up etc. But I try to book comedians who are well traveled and travel well.
How many people does the club hold?
150
How often are there comedy acts at the club?
Whenever there are great comedians to showcase.
What/who is the next comedy act?
Don’t know yet.
Are there regular comedians who entertain at the club?
Most of them want to come back ASAP but since I only do about 18 shows a year (and there are so many new comedians I want to promote) it gets difficult to have less than 18 months between appearances. In the earlier days Ross Noble or Daniel Kitson would come in at least twice a year – but it’s rare that happens in the 21st century.
Do you have any funny stories or comments you’d like to share?
How about Eddie Izzard in 1997 insisting he does his show entirely in French, when I’d sold the week of shows out to an audience 50% of whom didn’t speak French! Not so funny at the time but in retrospect….?
Thank you for your interview Karel!
If you’re reading this, and you enjoy irreverent English humour, pop over to Karel’s comedy club – and tell them Teena sent you :-)
Here’s a video from Karel’s website:
Phone reservations for all shows, call Paris 01 53 19 98 88
Unless otherwise indicated shows are at
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