Olivier Giraud

Olivier Giraud

Hits the Hallmark of One Million Theater Goers Who Want to Learn How to Become Parisian in One Hour

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHERYL ARONSON

My career as an Entertainment journalist began in Paris, France, in August of 2014. During my stay, a dear friend treated me to the one-man show – How to Become Parisian in One Hour, starring the effervescent and humorous actor/comedian Olivier Giraud. The title intrigued me, the show enchanted me, and an article was published with my review and interview with the charming Oliver Giraud. As soon as I decided to revisit my beloved Paris this June, I contacted his publicist and was granted another interview, plus a ticket to see the updated version of the show!

To my delight, I discovered that Monsieur Giraud had hit the hallmark number of performing for one million theatergoers at the Théâtre des Nouveautés. People worldwide (even Parisians) want to learn from the master himself, “How to Become Parisian in One Hour.”

This was not the case when the artist first introduced his idea fourteen years ago to Parisian theater owners.

In 2009, Olivier Giraud, actor/writer/humorist, dared to debut his one-man comedy show How to Become Parisian in One Hour in English despite being warned by multiple Parisian theater owners that the show would bomb – no one in Paris would attend a production spoken only in English!

“I didn’t know the show would last this long, but I was determined to succeed back then, so I formed my own company called, “French Arrogance Productions” to produce the show. Now, 14 years later, which is an unusually long time in Paris for a show to last (most close after six months) – I guess I can say I succeeded.”

Giraud had no training in writing, acting, or performing. He left his home in Bordeaux, France, at 18 to become a chef. But he revealed, “When I was eight years old, I told my mother that one day I would become a comedian and promised to buy her a nice dress after I performed onstage.” He pauses for a moment … “I still haven’t bought her that dress.”

Graduating from the best catering school in France, Olivier left Paris in 2001 to live in the United States. There, he worked as a waiter, obtained more training in Hotel Promotion, and procured a job as the Manager at The Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida. This venue offered the perfect breeding ground to observe the amusing differences between American and French cultures. Giraud found himself imitating the funny antics of his American customers. Inspired by his newfound passion, he scribbled notes, which, over time, blossomed into the script for How to Become Parisian in One Hour. Wanting to pursue his dream of performing onstage as a comic, Olivier Giraud moved back to Paris.

“I think the show’s success comes from the aura that the city brings… the romance … the beauty… the food… the city of love… of light … and … (his eyebrow goes up) … the city of strikes! Everyone wants to be Parisian, and everyone wants to laugh at our eccentricities, too.”

Even after fourteen years of performing the show, the comic feels each night’s performance is a new experience. He loves his job. He loves his audiences. He plans on performing How to Become Parisian in One Hour into Eternity with no end in sight.

“Every day is different for me. I am always improving the show—seeing what jokes work and trying new ones. If the new ideas get a laugh, I immediately put the skit into the script.”

When I interviewed Olivier Giraud back in 2014, he told me, “The show is more famous than me,” said the humble but very dashing, magnetic creator, Olivier Giraud. “When I walk the streets of Paris, I’m hardly ever recognized. But occasionally, a Parisian will say to me in The Metro, “Vous est le Parisian: One Hour.” Translation: You are the Parisian: One Hour!

I guess he was humble because, in 2014, Olivier Giraud was invited by the British Embassy in Paris and introduced to Her Majesty The Queen Of England, Elizabeth II. The invitation was in honor of his “contribution to Franco-British entente.”

“I thought it was a joke when I received the invitation, and I called the English embassy to see if it was a mistake. They told me that I was the best person for the communication between the French and the English. That was one of the most memorable moments in my 14 years of performing the show.”

Here are a few other accolades for Olivier Giraud: In March 2017, Olivier Giraud was invited by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to the British Embassy in Paris for a reception for 100 of the most promising French entrepreneurs. In June 2017, Olivier Giraud and his show How to Become a Parisian in One Hour were the winners of the Welcome Awards by CIWY in the category ‘Cultural Discoveries.’ The Welcome Awards reward the places Parisians love and are highly recommended for travelers who want to explore Paris like a Parisian. In January 2020, the show won the Get Your Guide Award as ‘Best Authentic Experience.’

In other words, this Frenchman charms the pants off politicians, world leaders, tourists, foreigners who live and work in Paris, ex-patriots, and the most important but the “tres difficult” audience: Parisians. Ooh la la!

His humor dances with caustic yet gentile observations. His high energy and enthusiasm onstage match a Zumba instructor. His comedic improvisations and playing off the audience’s energy and comments exude Robin Williams—Paris style.

Here are a few tips you will learn at the show: how to interact with snotty French salespeople in clothing stores, how to order in a café, how to maintain the proper demeanor riding the metro, and how to show disdain and the correct Paris pessimism toward life.

When asked what the major difference between a Parisian person and an American, Giraud smiles broadly with a twinkle in his eye and says:

“Americans are very enthusiastic … very positive … and Parisians are very negative. For example, if it’s beautiful weather and tomorrow it’s going to rain … and you said to a Parisian, ‘It’s good weather today,’ he will tell you, ‘But tomorrow it’s going to rain!’”

Ironically, Olivier Giraud doesn’t fit his description of a Parisian, but it’s obvious how much he loves his city and fellow countrymen. His performance schedule is grueling, yet Giraud attacks each show with devout enthusiasm and love.

“Many nights, I have five to ten different names during the shows to remember when I call audience members to the stage. But I love talking about Paris and teaching people our ways. Parisians are proud to be very rude, so they don’t care if I make fun of them for that characteristic.”

What’s new on the horizon for Olivier Giraud? Not resting on his laurels with one million theatergoers, he has also written a funny book called “How to Become Parisian in One Hour” and will soon add a new theme, “How to Raise Children in Paris.”

“I’m going to take new paths soon and write again: How Do You Raise a Kid in Paris and give more tips on where to live, where to eat, how to speak to them, etc. Definitely, very different than the show.”

I couldn’t resist the temptation to ask Olivier Giraud to do his impression of an American in Paris. His face transitions to an animated, super enthusiastic young person … “Oh my God, I love Paris! I’m gonna go to this show How to Become a Parisian … Amazing. Oh my God! I just love it! OMG … Thank you!”

For more information about Olivier Giraud and How to Become Parisian in One Hour, go to: www.oliviergiraud.com