Festival plans no live shows this year

Montreal’s Just For Laughs comedy festival is going digital this autumn.

The annual industry shindig was already postponed from its usual July slot, and now organisers of the 38-year-old event have confirmed that it will be going online on October 9 and 10 instead.

It promises a mix of in-person, pre-recorded and virtual performances, many of which will be free, although the exact programme has yet to be announced.

Charles Décarie, chief executive of the Just For Laughs Group  said: 'Despite all the changes our industry has been going through, the most important thing for us is to satisfy our festival-goers. We’re sparing no effort to present the best festival possible, while respecting the health measures that are in force.'

Currently  indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to 50 people are allowed in Quebec, with two meter distancing, educed to 1.5 metres in  performance venues. But overseas visitors are not allowed entry to Canada, which is all-but closed to everyone except citizens and permanent residents.

Bruce Hills, president for Just For Laughs, said: 'With no precise indication of when borders will reopen, and faced with soaring demand for high-quality digital comedy content, we’ve made the decision to move our festival online, while always maintaining our focus on the excellence of our offerings – an excellence that is recognised and appreciated throughout the world.'

The sister French-language festival, Juste Pour Rire,will also be taken online. 

This is the 38th year of Just For Laughs.

Published: 21 Jul 2020