Élie Semoun delivers a biting performance with Cactus at L’Européen: sharp stand-up and unsettling characters

With Cactus, his eighth show, Élie Semoun takes the stage again at L’Européen from January 20 to April 1, 2026. Blending stand-up and character comedy, the comedian continues to delve into uncomfortable truths with his sharp, cutting-edge writing.

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On stage, Cactus presents a series of sketches inspired by everyday life and current events: Jean Abdul (who even hosts his own opening act), a son giving a tour of an EHPAD to his father, an unscrupulous karate class, or a parent faced with their child's transition. Through these vignettes, the show tackles sensitive topics—such as religion, bullying, racism, family, and aging—with a sharp, biting sense of humor that remains true to Semoun’s signature style.

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This show is aimed at audiences who enjoy sharp social satire that boldly tackles uncomfortable truths, provoking genuine laughter even when the mood turns uneasy. Those who favor more crowd-pleasing comedies or a polished stand-up might find some moments unexpectedly jarring.

What if you went to see Cactus, Élie Semoun’s latest comedy show?

Cactus. The name alone hints at something prickly. And his return to the stage is always a noteworthy event. Seeing Élie Semoun step back into the spotlight remains a small spectacle in itself, each time.

Is everything fair game for humor? That’s the question that runs through his show from start to finish, and the artist answers it in his own way: by pushing boundaries, almost without filter. Topics like inclusion, violence, respect, family dynamics, and disability are all addressed openly. Semoun weaves a tapestry of scenarios and characters, bridging his iconic figures from the past with the very real tensions of modern society.

For decades, Élie Semoun has established himself as one of French comedy’s most delightfully unconventional performers. His gift for character work, his mastery of subtle discomfort, has inspired many generations. With this eighth show, he also makes a more confident move into stand-up comedy.

Alongside familiar faces – like Kevina, who’s grown up a lot – emerges a cast of new characters: Jean Abdul, who kicks off with his own opening act; a son taking his father on a tour of a retirement home; a man with mobility challenges introducing his partner to his mother; a father facing his son's transition; a very peculiar karate class. Sex harassment, religion, everyday violence round out this portrait. Cactus offers a view that’s both harsh and surprisingly light of a society as brutal as it is inspiring.

If you’ve never enjoyed Les petites annonces or the most eccentric incarnations of the comedian, this show might not be for you. But if you appreciate humor that knows no limits—sharp, but never unkind—Cactus is the show you need to laugh… at everything.

The audience’s reactions are telling. The room laughs a lot (including Manu Payet, who was there that evening), occasionally falls silent, often feels moved—before applauding for a long time.

Playing at L’Européen until April 1, 2026, Cactus showcases Semoun’s knack for turning discomfort into comedy and provocation into social reflection. A sharp, sometimes unsettling show that’s hard to forget.

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