Interview. He makes France Inter laugh, Caen comedian Harold Barbé had a blast in 2024

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With his spectacle Relax Max for which he crossed all of France with stopovers in Belgium and even in the United States, the comedian from Caen (Calvados) Harold Barbé returns to the stage of the Théâtre à l’Ouest on Friday December 13, 2024, for the penultimate date of its tour.

A pivotal year for the Caen comedian

Since his debut at the El Camino theater in Caen in 2011, Blanche Gardin’s protégé has come a long way. The opportunity for him to look back on a busy year 2024, which will have seen its nationwide outbreak.

You became the first comedian to participate in Hellfest this year. How did this proposal manifest itself?

It was an exceptional experience. If I had to make a podium of my best moments on stage since my debut in 2011, she would be on it! It was a dream and a goal of mine and I am very proud to have achieved it. Originally, it was an idea that I proposed to the organizers of the festival in 2021 at the time of Covid, but it did not happen. Just as I was starting to lose hope, they came back to contact me in 2024 and I accepted straight away.

A desire to step out of your comfort zone

You also made your debut on France Inter. Is it a new step forward?

It wasn’t my real debut on the radio, because I participated in Grosses Têtes in 2021 and I had been hosting columns on Rires et Chansons for three years. Regarding France Inter, the opportunity came from the editor-in-chief of the show Zoom Zoom Zen and as it is a show that I really like and that I already listened to before working there as columnist, I immediately accepted. I did a test last May which went very well and they asked me to continue the show. I find it very enriching personally, because it allows me to write on specific themes for each show and we have quite a bit of success!

A return to his land to end the year in style

Are you thinking of pursuing a career in radio?

Quite honestly, I hadn’t thought about it, but I’m not closing this door. I enjoy working in radio, but it is a very time-consuming activity. If I had to do it, I would have to take a break from my stage career to devote an entire season to radio. Why not !

Was it a goal to increase the number of appearances by leaving your comfort zone as a comedian?

I won’t say that it was really a goal in its own right, but as I am someone who gets bored quickly, I need change and to renew myself, and I think that’s why my audience appreciates me. As a comedian, you have to diversify. The comedian of 2024 is no longer at all the same as that of 1988. We must wear many hats and with such a profusion of comedians in France, we must diversify and get closer to our audience.

Having a strong metal community in my audience, my participation in Hellfest strengthened our ties and then France Inter being recognized as “the radio for comedians”, it was obvious for me to accept this opportunity to offer a new channel for my humor .

“Surpass myself and do better than the previous year”

A few words about your show Relax Max. What do you expect when you return to your land on December 13?

I am very honored and excited to return home for the end of the first part of my tour. It was a desire to finish at home in front of my audience and I learned that the date was sold out for a long time already so that puts a little extra pressure on me.

Furthermore, when coming to Caen, where I live, people don’t come to see Harold the comedian, but they come to see Harold the Caennais.

It’s a different feeling compared to all my other dates, but it’s a joy to return to the Théâtre à l’Ouest, in front of my audience.

What are your goals for 2025?

Every year, I resolve to surpass myself and do better than the previous year. I don’t like to sell the bear skin before killing it and reveal too much, but discussions are underway to carry out some projects next year. 2025 should be a great year, continuing this one.

In the meantime, I will organize the Christmas Show in the city of Caen at the El Camino theater on December 21 at 8:30 p.m. Tickets at 10 euros are still available on the site and there will be a ticket office on site to offer, to all those who were not able to get tickets for December 13, to come see me and share good times of laugh before Christmas.

Practical. Christmas show at El Camino, Saturday December 21 at 8:30 p.m. Prices: 10 euros. Tickets available on helloasso.com.

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