It is August which only means one thing – it is Camden Fringe time! Over the next few weeks we are chatting to acts that are performing at the festival and finding all about their show and what they would call this years iconic Camden Fringe Pigeon! Today we speak to Laura de Ryver about French 101

Date: 1st, 2nd, 3rd August
Time: 9:00pm
Price: £10
Location: Hens & Chickens Theatre
Ticket Link: https://camden.ssboxoffice.com/events/french-101/

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

I was born in Brussels and spent most of my childhood there. In 2014 I moved to London to train at East 15 Acting School. 

During my degree I discovered that I loved writing comedy so I started writing stand up routines and comedy sketches for YouTube. Now I’m working on my first full-length solo show, French 101 (F*ck You Jean-Pierre), which I’ll be performing at the Camden Fringe this August.

How did you come up with the name of your show that your taking to the Camden fringe?

“French 101” was kind of an obvious choice as the show is a French class and I wanted the title to reflect that. The bit in brackets shows that it won’t be a usual lesson: there will be ranting, there will be swearing and there will be someone called Jean-Pierre… But who is Jean-Pierre? And why does he need to go f*ck himself? You’ll have to book a ticket to find out!

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

It’s part-monologue, part-stand-up gig, and part-French lesson. 

What will your set be about?

It’s a language class unlike any other: you’ll learn about the danger of fake friends, the relationship between language and gender equality, and some vocab they’d never teach you in school. 

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe?

I’m looking forward to seeing Abrasion by Meg Rose-Dixon and Nice Things by Leanne Shorley. They’re two solo shows like mine and both performers went to East 15 like me. They’re both very talented performers, so I’m excited to see their shows!

What advice would you give to others who want to perform at Camden Fringe next year?

Go for it! Find a team and take the plunge. 

What are your favourite things about London?

There is always something going on, great music and theatre, there are loads of vegan options. People are open-minded and respect other people’s identity (generally) and a lot of people don’t believe me when I say this but I feel much safer as a woman in London (compared to Brussels and plenty of other places I’ve been to).

What are your three favourite things about Camden?

The buzz, The Jazz Café (the music scene in general), and walking along the canal.

Favourite one liner you have done in a show and why?

“In this country bread equals pain.” The French word “pain” means “bread” in English, but English bread equals pain if you’re French. Let’s just say you’re not going to find Hovis sold in any self-respecting boulangerie. 

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Someone who, after seeing my show, never uses ‘Ooh la la’ the wrong way ever again. (Everyone uses it wrongly in the UK!)

The iconic image of the Camden Fringe is the Pigeon – if you could call this year’s pigeon a name to represent its style what would it be and why?

Gaston Le Pigeon (said in a French accent). Pigeon is the same word in French (and it sounds better), and Gaston is a great name for someone who wears a bow tie.

If people want to find out more about you, where can they follow you on social media?

For show updates on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook follow @NeverthelessTC. You can find me on Instagram @laurage101 and Twitter @LauraDeRyver. 

And Finally in three words – Why should people come and see the show?

Laugh and learn.