With his talents for dancing, singing and comedy, Richardson Zéphir is what is known as a triple threat. After a few detours, particularly in the petrochemical and catering sectors, the showman jovial and charismatic 44-year-old proceeded on Tuesday to the return to Montreal of his first solo show: Zephyr. No doubt, the people who were gathered that evening between the walls of the Olympia witnessed the birth of a comedian.
As this is an introduction, Zéphir had, so to speak, no choice but to talk about his Haitian origins, his childhood in Laval, his status in the schoolyard, his infatuation with Eddie Murphy (in dubbed version) and his all-consuming passion for improvisation. By revisiting his memories, the comedian offers some of the best moments of the evening. The portion about his years as the manager of a pedal boat rental business in the Old Port of Montreal is downright hilarious.
Another imposed subject: his participation in the first season of the show Big Brother Celebrities. Remember that unable to take part in alliances, but very good at making friends, Zéphir was ousted after 11 weeks, out of a maximum of 13, and that he won the public prize. After some crisp revelations – he secretly supplied singer Maxime Landry with food when the latter was supposed to be fasting! —, the comedian recognizes that his participation in reality TV has given a considerable boost to his career.
Missed opportunities
Then comes the moment when Richardson Zéphir approaches angry subjects, but always sparing the goat and the cabbage, never committing, never taking a position, as if he didn’t want to displease anyone, above all not to shock. What’s the point of addressing racism and sexism in a comedy show, if it’s to do it in a consensual way? Even when he questions veganism, or the delicate question of hair on a woman’s body, the comedian does it in a hackneyed, complacent way, without adopting a frank point of view. There were multiple opportunities, unfortunately all missed.
It is a painting that alone is worth the detour. From the fear inspired in him by a bee having entered the passenger compartment of a taxi with him, the comedian embarks on a tasty delirium, an incredible story, and even comic strip, where the triumph of the hero passes through the power of his erection. It is certainly in this type of story with an absurd tone, full of twists, where he embodies different characters, adopts several voices, postures and facial expressions, that Richardson Zéphir astonishes, distinguishes himself, shines with all his fire.