After radio, television and several People’s albums, the teeming and quirky universe of François Pérusse comes to the stage. Result: a stunning condensed version of the prolific humorist’s exploded universe.
Posted at 9:00 am.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
There is no sound from the actors. Instead, the actors lip-synch to Ariel Charest’s recipe for success while a soundtrack pre-recorded by François Pérusse blasts out of the speakers. Her performance is compelling, especially considering the speed of the comedian’s flow of words. We also pay tribute to their cardiovascular prowess. Whether they’re performing choreographed dances, running up and down stairs, returning from backstage after a quick costume change, or just sharing the cue, they never seem tired.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Though only a few laughs were heard throughout the show, the particularly attentive audience seemed to appreciate this incursion into the Peruvian kingdom. Audiences gave a warm welcome to some of the now iconic skits and characters, including Jean-Charles, that cheerful, slightly annoying friend who’s willing to do anything to help his loved ones, played by Joseph Martin. Community radio host Louis-Paul Fafard Allard, the guy who bought a Ski-Doo, and Tata Boutlamine also received applause.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
The show was staged by Guillaume Lambert, who carefully watched the end result among the festival-goers as our photographer passed by on the Esplanade. Alongside skits, the show features some humorous songs from Pérusse’s repertoire, including “Mon prof de gym” (set to the tune of Technotronic’s “Pump Up the Jam” catchy tune), “Brouillard sur le Cemetery”, “Mon p’tit chien” and “Snack-bar chez Raymond”, complete with cowboy hats, hot dog costume and fringed denim jacket.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
You don’t have to have listened to each of People’s 16 albums hundreds of times, or follow François Pérusse’s radio and television career closely to appreciate the Just for Laughs festival proposal. The proof ? Even though we lacked references to certain excerpts (unlike several viewers who recited each line word for word) and sometimes had trouble following them (lack of a clear common thread), we never got anywhere. When we see the number of enthusiastic children in the audience, we see that the comedian’s work is multi-generational.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
François Pérusse’s texts have already been brought to the screen (Le JourNul, Pérusse Cité) but have never been the subject of a real stage adaptation. According to our stopwatch, Les 20 Minutes du Peuple spans 24 minutes and 20 seconds, which is the equivalent of a dozen 2-minute capsules. We leave the show slightly dazed, but pleased to have reconnected with Mona and several other comic book heroes who accompanied our long family car rides when we were little.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
To kill time while waiting for the show to start, instead of enduring the infrequently correct vocal flights of passers-by in the karaoke area, you can grab your smartphone — and headphones — to take the François Pérusse-themed “Fun Tour.” The questions, which are kept rather simple, will not please an adult, but for each correct answer you will hear an excerpt from Pérusse’s repertoire, which will bring back fond memories and above all make you forget the festival-goers who massacred Zombie des Cranberries, La tribu de Dana de Manau or Barbie Girl d’Aqua.
The show Les 20 Minutes du Peuple is offered at Place Loto-Québec until Saturday. Three performances per evening: 7:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Entry is free.