Alexis the Nightingale is a comedian, radio columnist and also a writer but he had many other jobs before launching on stage.
Born in Deux-Sèvres, between Poitiers and La Rochelle “Where people stop to pee in the car” he says with a laugh. He didn't set out to make a career out of laughter. Over the years, he had to choose studies. He then headed into business “like all people who don’t know what to do”. However, this will allow him to go to Mexico for an internship, a trip that will change his life since he will stay there for seven years.
“I had a revelation,” he then said to Nathalie. While he was making a living from his small creperie that he had opened in Mexico, he went to a bar one evening to drink a beer. He sees budding comedians getting on a stand-up stage and it will germinate a little seed in his mind. He therefore began his career in humor… In Mexico.
Comedian in Mexico, is that the meaning of life?
There, he lived with a wildly successful comedian, which allowed him to make a big decision: “Open your eyes Alex, you will never be as good in Spanish, so try it in your language.” A return to his roots which made him “stronger in France”. He therefore wrote his show, The Meaning of Life, with a touch of provocation. The name comes from a memorable conversation with his deceased uncle.
“The meaning of life consists of maintaining a freshness of life, lightness, accepting hazards,” explains Alexis. And with humor, he explains it on stage. If some people don't understand all the hidden messages, he assumes: “It doesn't matter, everyone takes what they want.” For him, life can be summed up in three words: pleasure, kindness, and doing things without deceiving anyone.
He can be found at the Gaîté Montparnasse in Paris every Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. until January 5 and on tour throughout France.
The full interview can be found at the top of the page. To see more Café sur Scène, go to 20MinutesTV!
