La Petite Merde

Running for 18 nights, this solo show is a blend of short sketches and a lot of improvising, and Brianna Williams has given herself the challenge of relying on audience participation for a large portion of the show. The theme in La Petite Merde is the attainment of happiness, whether it is in the workplace, a marriage, or being happy in ones self. Translated it literally means ‘the little shit’, the ‘shit’ being ‘happiness’, as it is so hard to attain.   

Stand up comedy is difficult at the best of times, trusting heavily on the enthusiasm and encouragement from your audience.  When incorporating the audience members to play out characters in your storytelling it can be very risky. With a willing audience it can really enhance the show giving it a fresh take each night.  On the other-hand if the audience are a bunch of cynics and lazy the performer has the difficult task of keeping the show interesting only a talented and skilled performer would have the confidence to take such a risk. Williams certainly is that.  

However in La Petite Merde the latter was not encountered at all; there was a great sense of eagerness and energy in the room.  With some simple props on a small stage, some minor costume additions, Williams invites audience members to play significant parts in her many funny sketches, seemingly improvising, but skillfully she extracts exactly what she wants from them and it boosted the hilarity brilliantly. The choice of music was well thought out too, with a mix of contemporary and older songs that appealed to both a younger and older audience.    

Williams reminds me of an expertly trained drama teacher with a very well controlled classroom of willing students. But it wasn’t all audience participation; in many of the sketches Williams plays the parts of 2 or 3 characters herself, swapping between each by positioning herself at opposite ends of the small stage.  This is amusing as she deliberately over-acts to emphasize the shift in characters. She mastered each sketch and the show flowed beautifully. It’s quality entertainment, spontaneous, random at times, but guaranteed a laugh.  Williams has fun with it and the enthusiasm is shared, creating a collaborative and really enjoyable show.

Lisa Romeo