Just For Laughs is currently entering its new era on the other side of the world, in Australia, in the presence of its new owner, Sylvain Parent-Bédard.
On the sidelines since 2022 due to financial difficulties that forced the Just For Laughs group to declare bankruptcy, the Just For Laughs Sydney festival is back, from November 18 to 23, and so far, its organizers are happy.
“We are presenting a big gala on Saturday at the Opera House. Wednesday we did a Trevor Noah show [humoriste et comédien qui a notamment animé les quatre dernières soirées des Grammy] which attracted 15,000 spectators to the arena. There are around forty artists for 23 shows in total. We sold 50,000 tickets,” rejoices Sylvain Parent-Bédard.
“We are excited to continue our 12-year journey with Just For Laughs, collaborating with Sylvain Parent-Bédard and the new management team to take Just For Laughs Sydney to new heights,” says Adrian Bohm, Australian festival partner, in a declaration sent to Journal by Just to entertain, the new name of ComediHa!
Busy schedule
After this stay in the land of kangaroos, Sylvain Parent-Bédard will continue to accumulate Aeroplan miles at the end of 2024 and for a good part of 2025.
“Next week I will be in Los Angeles to meet with artist agents. I’m going to Just For Laughs in Bermuda and Vancouver in January and February. I want to go around everything, everything, everything to fully understand the terrain, the situation and put people at ease with the new organization.
If he does not hide his interest in creating other Just For Laughs festivals in the next two to three years, his priority in 2025 is to get the Just for Laughs and Just For Laughs festivals back on track in Montreal.
