“Laura de Ryver’s hilarious one-woman show, French 101, reclaims the dreaded French lesson of your youth and turns it into a fun, furious and slightly unhinged journey through love, loss and gender equality.
Following scratch performances at the Tramshed and the Southwark Playhouse, French 101 receives its world premiere at the Hen and Chickens Theatre this August as part of the 2022 Camden Fringe Festival.”
Nevertheless Theatre Company’s production of Laura de Ryver’s French 101 (F*ck You Jean-Pierre) arrives at the Camden Fringe (Hen & Chickens Theatre, 1-3 August) – read out to find out more from Sara Reimers, the company’s artistic director and director of this show!
Tickets: https://camden.ssboxoffice.com/performances/french-101/
Read my review of their previous production, V+15, which rain at the 2020 Vault Festival.
Tell me about your Camden Fringe show! What’s it all about?
French 101 is part French lesson, part stand-up gig, and part one-woman show. Whether you hated or loved French at school, it’s got something for everyone and you’ll discover answers to essential French questions like what “ooh lala” really means and why the French word for clitoris is masculine. It’s a whirlwind tour through love, language, and gender equality.
What’s the best thing about being part of a festival like this?
I love the variety of the Camden Fringe. There’s so much going on and you can grab a ticket for awesome, original shows for bargain prices. As a theatre-maker it’s a great opportunity to connect with our wider community, to meet fellow creatives, and to see lots of great work.
What has your company been up to over the part year of theatre recovery?
Our main focus has been developing the script for French 101, which we’ve been working on for the several months. It’s been a tough time of theatre-makers, so it’s great to be returning to the theatre with a fun, feel-good show.
We’re also in the early stages of R&D for a new one-woman show inspired by a classical play, which we’re aiming to produce next year. More on that soon!
Do you have further plans for the show after the Camden Fringe? Or other shows in other spaces?
We’re busy making plans, but nothing’s concrete just yet. Watch this space!
Let’s finish on a one liner. Why should I come to see French 101?
You’ll laugh and you’ll learn lots at this funny, feminist, and very French show.