After Le Bordel and Le Terminal, French-speaking Montrealers who love humor will now be able to be entertained at La Cabine, we have learned The Journal. Led by comedians Radi and Dominic Morin, the new comedy club on rue Saint-Denis will open its doors in April and will be digitally oriented.
“As soon as I set foot in Montreal six years ago, one of the first things that came to mind was to have my own comedy club.”
Originally from France, Radi, whose real name is Mohamed Abdelmoumen, realized that there was a certain frustration among Quebec comedians of not being able to perform enough in comedy clubs.
By organizing parties at the La marche bar next door, near the Laurier metro station, the 46-year-old comedian quickly saw the potential of the place. “But the configuration was not optimal,” he says.
“I’m going all-in»
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Last year, he put together a business plan to transform the establishment into a real comedy club. “I mortgaged my retirement and that of my children!” launches the one who alone assumes the financial risks of this project whose renovations should cost between $250,000 and $400,000.
Why didn’t he do like the six comedians who co-owned the Brothel, who decided to share the expenses together? “Making partnerships, we are never safe from disagreements,” he said. I’m going all-in and all alone, like that, we don’t lose any friends!”
It works
Courtesy photo
A complementary offer
At the operational level, Radi has surrounded himself with a small team, including comedian and technician Dominic Morin, who will be the general manager of La Cabine. Marie-Joëlle Bourque, who was in charge of programming at the Terminal, will occupy the same functions for the new comedy club.
With La Cabine, Radi does not see itself as a competitor to other French-speaking comedy clubs, but rather as a complementary offering. “There are still two million inhabitants in Montreal. The ratio of comedy clubs per number of residents is unbalanced.”
La Cabine Comédie Club will occupy the premises of the former La marche bar next door.”/>
La Cabine Comédie Club will occupy the premises of the former La marche bar next door.
Photo Agence QMI, JOEL LEMAY
Focused on digital
Where La Cabine can stand out from the others is through its technology. Described as a hybrid stage and digital broadcast venue, the comedy club will be equipped with three cameras that will capture all of the shows.
“Comedians who wish will be able to receive their act filmed with great equipment 72 hours later,” says Radi. I benefited from it at the comedy club The Joke [à Paris]. All I had to do was send a message to receive my extract on the transfer platforms. It’s super nice when you want to develop as an artist.”
3D visual of what La Cabine Comédie Club will look like
Courtesy photo
Optimize services
In addition to its performance hall with just over 80 seats, La Cabine will also include a podcast studio in the basement. “We won’t just be a comedy club that runs in the evening, but we also want to operate during the day,” says Dominic Morin, who will record the second season of his podcast there. In the way. We want to optimize the services we can provide to comedians.”
If all goes well, the renovations should be completed next month. Managers plan to hold a few test shows there before officially opening in April.
Tickets for the pre-opening of La Cabine Comédie Club are on sale at lepointdevente.com/billets/lacabinecomedieclub.
