Pierre-Luc Pomerleau could well be the result of a disturbing but also very happy cross between François Bellefeuille, Louis-José Houde and Marc Dupré. This question of identity, in a way the elephant in the room, the comedian, who has been rolling around for nearly 15 years, dares to tackle it from the outset, from the first seconds of his second solo show, Northern Mockingbird. Over the next 90 minutes, the rare bird will have the chance to demonstrate what sets it apart from other specimens of its species.
His comedy relies primarily on observing his contemporaries, most often from his father’s perspective. From the parents’ meeting that drags on to swimming lessons for toddlers through the emergency room, the comedian knows how to camp situations and translate discomfort. But even more than his spouse, who works in financial management, or his children, who stubbornly refuse to eat or sleep, his greatest source of inspiration is him! Some of the show’s best moments relate to his lack of focus, his dislike of the dentist, or his unhealthy curiosity about anatomical differences.
A perfect dosage
The secret of Pomerleau is the diversity of tones and subjects, the achievement of the perfect balance in all things. For example, in the middle of a story, he doesn’t hesitate to resort to imitations, spoken or sung, which are generally amazingly accurate. This is how Peter MacLeod, Mike Ward, Denis Drolet, Father Fouras, Simon Leblanc or even Coeur de pirate make appearances, always brief, but often powerful. The subjects tackled by the comedian are rarely new; you can’t escape a few uncle jokes, a few gratuitous ribaldries, not to mention the eternal considerations on the differences between men and women, but each time, he knows when to stop, when to change register.
On stage, around him, important video screens. Firstly because they evoke places, create atmospheres, but above all because they allow Pomerleau to lend themselves to a session of what is becoming its trademark: PLP’s little finds, a series that will soon reach a hundred episodes on YouTube. Projecting onto the stage ads unearthed on Marketplace – indecent slow cookers, disturbing sofas and disarming disguises –, skillfully underlining the terrible errors of taste and spelling they contain, the comedian obtains cascades of laughter.
With very well written texts, with an implacable rhythm, Pierre-Luc Pomerleau presents undeniable qualities as performers. His flow, his diction, the speed with which he performs, but also his gestures, his postures… all of this commands admiration. But his main asset is himself, in other words, his charisma, the authenticity he exudes. This singularity, we would not be surprised if it served as the basis for a long career.