On July 16 and 17, “the city’s best and funniest stand-up comedians” gathered at the Comedy Nest for The Montréal Series. The concept brought seasoned veterans and emerging talent together as part of OFF JFL, the fringe-style programming that ran alongside the main Just For Laughs festival.
Here are three standout acts from the 7 p.m. show on July 17.
Arthur Sim Jr.
Often described as “unique,” 26-year-old Arthur Sim Jr. quickly won over the audience.
The rookie comedian immediately established an intriguing stage presence with his towering stature and an extended silence. Here, “extended” means much longer than the pauses comedians usually leave for laughs and longer than what most people would consider awkward.
His material was absurd and unpredictable, from getting so high he believed he could “flex his mind” (a pivotal moment in his decision to quit weed) to moments of self-awareness that helped level him with the audience. Sim Jr. pointed out that some fans assumed the “weird, awkward loser” persona was an onstage act, but he clarified that he’d been “working on that one for 26 years.”
It took only a handful of jokes, punctuated by those signature long pauses, for the crowd to connect with him. One of his bits even earned an applause break.
Shawn Stenhouse. Photo Myriam Frenette
Longtime stand-up comedian Shawn Stenhouse closed the show with bits of perfectly delivered comedy gold.
While the themes of his cohesive set were nothing out of the ordinary (notably exhaustion as a new parent, career anxiety, and frustration with younger generations), he found fresh angles that kept the audience laughing.
After joking that he could no longer afford to suck at comedy now that he had a child, he mimed feeding his baby mashed peas, explaining, “So if you don’t laugh tonight, it’s like you’re slapping the spoon out of my hand.”
His experience showed through his controlled, sometimes deadpan delivery. Although a few early bits lingered slightly, pacing adjusted and he had the audience in the palm of his hand by the time he closed with a critique of “disrespectful” twenty-somethings with no memory of 9/11. (Didn’t we say we’d never forget?)
John Cotrocois. Photo Myriam Frenette
Including John Cotrocois among the night’s standouts is technically cheating since he served as the host, but the theatre performer turned comedian deserves credit for fostering a welcoming atmosphere for both comedians and audience members.
His introductory crowd work was sharp and playful, but without ever verging on condescension. After one audience member volunteered his full name, Cotrocois replied encouragingly, “Okay, full name! Can I get your social security number as well?”
The vulnerability in his material set an inviting ambience for the performers who followed. He joked about having been gay for “100 years,” his Greek family, and the challenges of dating. (His preferred dating apps include Tinder and Grindr, but also wild cards like SkipTheDishes, Facebook Marketplace, and Info-Santé.)
Between sets, he introduced each comedian while sporting a rotating collection of neon T-shirts and kept the room energized with his rapid-fire delivery.
This Montréal Series ultimately reinforced that OFF JFL thrives on experimentation and variety, bringing performers to audiences eager to embrace new talent.
JFL and Off JFL took place from July 6 – 26 iand July 7 -17 respectively. For info on next year’s JFL festival, click HERE and Off JFL, click HERE.
