His first stand-up show, #Frenglish, was, as its title suggested, half in English and half in French. Since “it went pretty well”, Paul Taylor decided to write a second one with the “same concept”. The British comedian will perform this show, titled So British or almost, Tuesday October 19 and Wednesday October 20 at the Grand Rex in Paris, before leaving “on tour” in France *. To the public, he will recount his adventures on this side of the Channel where he has lived for more than ten years, will evoke his family life and will talk about cultural specificities which never cease to surprise him.
With your bilingual show, you tend to show that the French are not so bad at English since many come to see you, right?
In general, the French are very hard on themselves when it comes to their level of English. The proof that this is false: we can offer shows in both languages, people come anyway and understand. It is also easier to understand than to speak. In general, you understand English well. I say “you”, but mostly I created a niche with the show. At the Grand Rex, there will be 2,600 people and, compared to the 8 million people living in Paris, this is a small proportion. The feedback I get most often after my show is: “Honestly, I thought I was shit in English and I managed to understand everything. Thank you for giving me confidence. “
Does the Grand Rex remind you of something special?
I chose the Grand Rex over the Olympia because the Olympia represents something for the French to which I am less attached. I really like the decor of the Grand Rex, the vibe when you walk in… When you see the photos of this room at the time of its opening, I find it magnificent.
Did you not feel legitimate to play at the Olympia?
No, it’s just that, emotionally, it doesn’t represent what it can represent for a Frenchman. Suddenly, as the Olympia venue is smaller and more expensive to rent, I thought to myself why not play in another venue instead. Having my name in giant letters on the facade, I don’t care – I’m aware that it brings a lot of kif to a lot of artists. I know it’s sad, but I never had this dream of playing at L’Olympia when I started humor, unlike a lot of friends I started with and for whom it is the ultimate goal.
What are the main differences between English humor and French humor?
I see that the English are more comfortable with self-mockery than the French. To make people laugh in films, series and stand-ups, we are not afraid to belittle ourselves. In France, there is more political humor and comedians have a more “star” side. In England, we don’t really like to put ourselves forward, for example, on stage, we are dressed as in everyday life. In France, there is a side “I am famous, I am a star, I am someone famous”.
What makes the French laugh and leaves you completely cold?
All that is sketches, when there are disguises on stage. It’s much more focused on gaming and overplaying than the stand-up I’m used to and where we honestly give our point of view on things in life. In England, this kind of sketches were done about thirty years ago, with the Monthy Pythons for example, but it has become very old-fashioned – at least my English friends and family don’t appreciate it. I understand that the French can laugh at that because it’s a different type of humor, but I can’t get into it.
What’s the topic to avoid when it comes to joking with the English?
Brexit! I think it’s become the new, somewhat taboo subject (laughs). Or the fact that the soccer team is not as good as the France team.
You have been living in France for over ten years. How do you define yourself, as Franco-English, Irish-English?
To put it simply, I say I’m English because when I speak English I have an English accent. In some contexts, I’ll say I’m Irish-English. But it is true that, when I am in Spain, for example, I prefer to assume the French identity because the English are frowned upon there, especially in the South where they go to party a little in fashion ” the hooligans land in Marbella ”. So in this context, I speak in French when I go for a walk with my friends, like that, the Spaniards say to themselves: “He’s French, that’s fine, he’s not an Englishman.” “
In your show, you say that it is above all the accent that makes the identity …
I wondered a lot why I didn’t feel more Irish when I have an Irish passport – my mother is Irish. The question arose when I had to renew it. I didn’t renew my UK passport because there was no point in Brexit, and, frankly, I don’t care. Thinking about it, I thought to myself that it’s because I have an English accent – I grew up in the South East of England – that I can’t imagine myself being Irish in the eyes of an Irishman.
You were hired for a small role in the film “Aline” by Valérie Lemercier and, ironically, you play a Quebecer there, with the accent …
(He laughs) I got feedback from someone who saw it as a preview not far from Clermont-Ferrand and apparently I’m in it. But I thought I was going to be cut in the edit.
* Paul Taylor will play So British or almost in Lille on October 17, in Aix-en-Provence on November 25, in Saint-Grégoire on December 10, in Nantes on January 4, 2022, Bordeaux on January 25 …