Comedian Phil Roy will begin a new chapter in his career this winter.
The Noovo headliner, who we saw last fall in Master of the Game and presenter of La guerre des Fans, will take his first steps as an actor in the new situation comedy L'Arena on the same antenna in January. An experience full of challenges but extremely rewarding.
“I found it challenging because I spent my first scene, the first day, with Marc Beaupré. I remember going to him and telling him, 'Hey, I don't do this for a living, I might be slowing down the group,'” he told QMI Agency with a laugh. “Usually the lyrics are written by me. I know what I mean. There I know them by heart, my texts, and I took them really seriously; But if the director tells me to play it with more sadness, I might feel a little sorry,” continued the comedian, who overall loved his experience and felt supported by his colleagues.
Phil Roy in the dugout with Marc Beaupré and Valérie Tellos. Photo provided by Noovo
Among them we find in particular Benoît Brière, Valérie Blais as well as Sophie Cadieux and Éric Paulhus, twins and former figure skating champions. Mariana Mazza and Irdens Exantus, Catherine Chabot and Valérie Tellos, Marc Beaupré and Leïla Thibeault-Louchem have also been selected to participate in the series and will portray couples who frequently visit this place.
Phil Roy takes on the role of Laurent, Stéphanie's boyfriend (Catherine St-Laurent, who was reassuring to the comedian during their friendship scenes). Laurent joins a garage hockey league where the post-game beer is almost more important than the game itself.
Valérie Blais and Benoît Brière in “The Arena”. Photo provided by Noovo
“I don't think a role like Laurent is far from my mind. […] Would I claim to say that I am an actor, no, but would I like to deepen and perfect this acting business one day, yes, completely,” he affirmed, saying he was convinced that this experience would help him with his stage work.
The actor, who appeared on SNL Quebec and The New Show, enjoyed filming a few on-ice scenes and playing hockey with semi-pro players who were hired as understudies.
Write fiction
It is a collective of authors led by Jean-François Provençal, Justine Phillie and Julien Tapp, who wrote the texts for L'aréna. Phil Roy also had the opportunity to write two sketches this season.
“I was not involved in the process of this series, but it was truly a production that listened to comments and suggestions. […] I actually showed up one morning with text messages telling them I had something to offer them to replace this or that sketch, and it worked,” he said. He confided, adding that he would like to try the experience again. This time with his partner.
Mariana Mazza and Irdens Exantus in “The Arena”. Photo provided by Noovo
“My friend doesn't write professionally, but I think she writes really well. She did a lot of figure skating and was a coach. I've already told her that if there was a second season, I'd like to sit down and brainstorm together, or maybe she'd try to write something and we'd come up with something. » added Phil Roy.
The four-hand writing project has been in the air for a long time, said the comedian. However, he has to convince his other half, who he finds “full of talent and stories to tell,” to get started.
Directed by Sébastien Gagné, the series L'aréna runs on Noovo from January 10th at 7:30 p.m.