Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Stand and deliver

Famous for the surreal wit of painter René Magritte – he of ‘Ceci n’est pas une pipe’ fame – Belgium’s love of absurdity is also to be found in its burgeoning multilingual stand-up scene. Ryan Millar meets the comics who make the country laugh

ALEX AGNEW

In 2003, rock’n’roll comedian Alex Agnew was the first Belgian to win both the jury and public prizes at the Leids Cabaret Festival. His first solo show, Ka-Boom, debuted in 2004, and he’s currently touring Flanders with More Human than Human.

How did you get started as a comedian?

I began performing in 2001, at an open mike night in a bar called The Scene in Antwerp. I was scared s**tless, but it went surprisingly well. From then on I never stopped.

What are your comedy influences?

The first comedian that influenced me as a kid was Eddie Murphy. I must have seen Raw and Delirious 50 times! Later, I discovered edgy comedians like Bill Hicks and George Carlin; they probably had the biggest influence on my style.

What was your best gig?

Probably the first gigs I sold out. Big places like the Capitole in Ghent or the Arenberg in Antwerp are always fun, although I’ve had some of my best moments at a comedy club called The Joker in Antwerp.

And your worst gig?

The worst ever was in Naaldwijk in The Netherlands in 2004. No one laughed. I died. Enough said! I started doubting my whole act, but I had a bunch of gigs booked so I had to keep going.

Where do you go for inspiration?

All over: things I read in the paper, real-life situations that strike me as funny… but first and foremost, things that irritate me!

How would you describe the Belgian sense of humour?

No idea – I’m half English and mostly inspired by British and American comedians. I’d say Belgian comedians are prone to absurdism, but that would be unfair to those who aren’t. I guess there’s lots of variety.

What (if anything) are the differences between Flemish and French-speaking Belgian comedians?

I’d say that French-speaking comedians have a more vaudevillian tradition, whereas Flemish comedians are more inspired by Anglo-Saxon and Dutch comedians.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a comedian?

I’d be dead or in jail!

What does your family think of all this?

I’m famous and I make loads of money – they love it. Bunch of freeloaders!

Favourite joke?

“A priest, a rabbi and an imam walk into a bar. The bartender says, ‘What is this? A joke?’”

Any upcoming projects?

In February next year I’m going to play the Sportpaleis in Antwerp, a 12,000-seat arena – and I’ve sold it out three times! That’s gonna be crazy, and slightly scary! www.alexagnew.be

LAURENCE BIBOT

Laurence Bibot has been performing comedy for more than 20 years. She got her start in La Ligue d’Improvisation before moving on to sketch – notably with Belgian collective Les Snuls. In addition to many solo shows, Bibot has acted in theatre and is one half of pop-rock-electro duo Monsieur et Madame (with her husband, Marka).

How did you get started as a comedian?

I’ve always acted; when I was a child, one of my favourite activities was to transform myself using things I could find in my mother’s dressing room. Once I put pétanque balls under my T-shirt to create breasts!

What are your comedy influences?

Monty Python, Blake Edwards, [French comic actor] Louis de Funès, Woody Allen and the women of Absolutely Fabulous.

Best gig?

Cendrillon ce Macho in Brussels – it’s been a huge success. It’ll be playing around Christmas again this year, which will be the third year running.

Worst gig?

At school, when I was eight. I was already tall… I played a tree.

Where do you go for inspiration?

I observe the world around me, how people behave and interact.

How would you describe the Belgian sense of humour?

Absurd and self-deprecating.

What (if any) are the differences between Flemish and French-speaking Belgian comedians?

Flemish comedians are more similar to the English sense of humour, while French-speaking comedians are closer to French humour, I think.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a comedian?

Perhaps I would be an ambassador. The kind that lives in NYC and organises parties every day.

What does your family think of all this?

My husband is a musician, so he gets the process of creation. But I think that all the ‘artisty stuff’ sometimes bothers our children.

Favourite joke?

I hate jokes.

Any upcoming projects?

I made a funny documentary about Tokyo with my husband; we’re Japanese for 48 hours and it’s called Si j’étais japonais. www.laurencebibot.be

DAVID LEMKIN

In 2001, Brit David Lemkin traded his law books for joke books, becoming a comedian, compère and promoter. He brings headline acts from the UK, Canada, the US, Australia and New Zealand to Brussels as part of his Stand Up World Brussels events.

How did you get started?

I was looking for a place to get shows happening, but London is saturated – so a friend working for the EU suggested Brussels. I figured that if I compèred the show, I could spend more money on acts. I now do stand-up and compère all over, but my own show in Brussels was my very first gig.

What are your comedy influences?

I love everything Monty Python. Stand-up- wise, Jack Dee, Eddie Izzard and Mark Thomas of The Comedy Store fame. When I started, my brother gave me a Bill Hicks CD; I now have everything Hicks did.

Best gig?

A big moment was doing my first 20-minute set at The Comedy Store in London. It was so exciting – it’s the best comedy club in the world.

Worst gig?

It was a company event in a hotel dining room in Norwich. I had to interrupt these people’s pudding to tell them half an hour of jokes. There was no response. Afterwards, the DJ came out and told pub jokes – “two guys walk into a bar” stuff – and they loved it. The company asked me back the next week – I said no.

Where do you go for inspiration?

Like most comedians, everywhere. Dinner with my family, drinks with mates… My phone is full of draft texts I’ve typed based on snatches of conversation.

How would you describe the Belgian sense of humour?

Surreal and absurdist. They like thought- provoking humour that fires the bizarre parts of their imaginations. Other cultures like people falling over, but the Belgians are more sophisticated.

What (if any) are the differences between Flemish and French-speaking Belgian comedians?

I couldn’t comment, as I don’t have enough experience – nor the language skills.

What would you be doing if you weren’t a comedian?

I’d be a lawyer; I practised criminal law.

What does your family think of all this?

They love it. Thankfully, they all have a great sense of humour.

Favourite joke?

Probably Bill Hicks on the loneliness of being a comic: “Comedy is a lonely job, it’s really difficult to hold down a relationship. It’s going to take a very special woman. Or a bunch of average ones.”

Any upcoming projects?

The next Stand Up World Brussels is on 23 October, which has a great line-up. I’m also excited about the Stand Up World Paris; I’m hopeful that there’s a market for top- quality English-language comedy there too. www.standupworld.com/brussels

FR Humour belge

Ryan Millar a rencontré les stars de la scène belge multilingue

Alex Agnew Premier Belge à être couronné au Leids Cabaret Festival, Agnew est à l’heure actuelle en tournée en Flandre avec More Human than Human.

Quelles sont vos influences dans la comédie ?

Bill Hicks et George Carlin.

Quelles sont les différences entre les comédiens néerlandophones et francophones ? Les francophones ont une tradition de vaudeville, tandis que les Flamands sont inspirés par les Pays-Bas. Votre blague favorite ? “Un prêtre, un lapin et un imam entrent dans un bar. Le barman dit, ‘C’est quoi cette blague ?’” alexagnew.be

Laurence Bibot Bibot joue la comédie depuis plus de 20 ans. Elle forme avec son mari Marka le duo pop-rock-electro Monsieur et Madame.

Quelles sont vos influences ? Monty Python, Blake Edwards, Louis de Funès, Woody Allen et Absolutely Fabulous.

Où puisez-vous votre inspiration ? J’observe le monde qui m’entoure, les comportements des gens.

Comment décririez-vous l’humour belge ? Absurde et auto-dénigrant. laurencebibot.be

David Lemkin L’humoriste britannique Lemkin met en scène à Bruxelles des spectacles venus du Royaume-Uni et des USA.

Où puisez-vous votre inspiration? Partout – mon téléphone est rempli de textes, notés au hasard des conversations.

Comment décririez-vous l’humour belge ? Surréaliste et absurde.

Votre blague favorite ? Bill Hicks: “Jouer la comédie est un job solitaire… Je devrai donc me trouver une femme très spéciale. Ou plusieurs femmes ordinaires.” standupworld.com/brussels

NL België en stand-up comedy

Ryan Millar ontmoet de sterren van België’s ontluikende meertalige comedyscene

Alex Agnew De eerste Belgische winnaar van het Leids Cabaret Festival. Agnew trekt momenteel door Vlaanderen met zijn show More Human than Human.

Wie zijn je grote comedyvoorbeelden? Bill Hicks en George Carlin.

Waarin verschillen de Vlaamse van de Franstalige komieken? Franstaligen hebben een vaudevilletraditie en Nederlandstaligen halen meer invloed van de komieken uit Nederland.

Vertel ons je favoriete grap “Een priester, een rabbijn en een imam stappen een bar binnen. Waarop de barman zegt: “Wat hebben we nu? Is dit een grap?” alexagnew.be

Laurence Bibot Bibot staat al meer dan 20 jaar op de planken en vormt samen met haar man Marka het pop-rock-electro duo Monsieur et Madame.

Wie zijn je grote comedyvoorbeelden? Monty Python, Blake Edwards, Louis de Funès, Woody Allen en Absolutely Fabulous.

Waar haal je je inspiratie? Ik observeer de wereld rondom mij, hoe mensen zich gedragen.

Hoe zou je het Belgische gevoel voor humor omschrijven? Absurd en zelf-depriciërend. laurencebibot.be

David Lemkin De Britse stand-up en animator Lemkin brengt Britse en Amerikaanse headliners naar Brussel.

Wie zijn je grote comedyvoorbeelden? Monty Python, Jack Dee, Eddie Izzard and Bill Hicks.

Hoe zou je het Belgische gevoel voor humor omschrijven? Surreëel en absurd.

Vertel ons je favoriete grap? Bill Hicks: “Comedy is een eenzame job… Ik zal een heel bijzondere vrouw moeten zoeken. Of een heleboel middelmatige.” standupworld.com/brussels

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