This Tuesday, November 26, 2024, from the depths of the Sahara where he is currently filming “The Book of the Desert”, the next film by Gilles de Maistre, Kev Adams will undoubtedly have a thought for Rouen (Seine-Maritime). It is there, right next to the Théâtre à l’Ouest of his partner Loïc Bonnet, the regional stopover, that the Fridge Rouen is opening, the first variation in the provinces of its Parisian establishment launched four years ago.
“It’s the same concept, the same artistic direction, the same atmosphere,” enthuses Kev Adams, who “very much wanted to export the idea elsewhere than in the capital. I am convinced that the comedy club will become, a bit like bowling or the cinema, an outing, with family or friends, like any other.” Electric blue light for a room of around 80 seats, a stage for only one stage, metal tables, an “industrial” decor. And, as a fitting nod, a real cold room as a dressing room for the artists. An attention to detail of which the comedian says he is “super proud.” It’s even more beautiful than the original in Paris.” And if, on the same day in Brussels, after the end of January in Montpellier, two other Fridges also open their doors this year, it is here that the project to export its comedy club was born.
“We started talking about it in 2022, when Kev came to run his new show here,” recalls Loïc Bonnet. “We had this common desire and an opportunity with a space that became available right next to my establishment.” And even though real estate setbacks pushed back the launch by a year, “we never gave up. There is a trust and mutual esteem between us which allowed us to complete this project,” he continues.
Loïc Bonnet is convinced that this new place meets an expectation of the Rouen public, but also of a local scene which is just waiting to emerge: “For a beginner comedian who wanted to come to me, it was complicated. Having him play in a 200-seat room in front of 30, 40 people was not doing him or me any favors. There, with the Fridge, entirely dedicated to stand-up, he will be able to take his first steps more easily and over time, find his audience, make a name for himself. » With, as a bonus, the possibility of being able to count on Kev Adams’ network to go even further.
Laughter factory
“I would have loved to have had a place like that when I started,” assures the actor who, at only 33 years old, already has more than 15 years of career. “That’s partly why I wanted to create a comedy club. A bit like a humor training center. You can talk to people there, ask them what they liked, what didn’t work. We can come, come back to it… Try new things, rewrite our jokes… There is nothing harder than playing in front of 80, 100 people. And I remain convinced that we must constantly return to this base, even for an established artist,” he explains.
With two platforms during the week and three at the weekend, the Rouen Fridge will offer around ten meetings each week. “We will never know who will show up, that’s the principle,” recalls Loïc Bonnet. “One session is five artists to discover. And it could be that in the morning, a Gad Elmaleh or a Paul Mirabel gets on the bus to Rouen with the others to come and test a new sketch… And there, it’s bingo! »
Until then, the official inauguration will take place on December 6 and 7, with the presence of Kev Adams, who easily admits that the Fridge now has its own reputation: “The place, its logo, all that is beyond us today ‘today. Without false modesty, my name no longer plays a big part in its success. In Paris, you just need to take a stroll there on a Saturday or Sunday, where nine sets of five to six comedians are on, to realize this. It has become a laugh factory! »
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