Jean-benoît Diallo - Libre Arbitre - Tournée

Jean-Benoit Diallo at PALAIS DE LA MUTUALITE - EDOUARD HERRIOT

We are delighted to welcome Jean-Benoit Diallo and his new show, Libre Arbitre, to PALAIS DE LA MUTUALITE - EDOUARD HERRIOT, where our stage is built for intimate storytelling and razor-sharp timing. From the moment doors open, our team primes the room for a night that blends precision sound, crisp sightlines, and the kind of convivial atmosphere that lets every aside, pause, and punchline land with clarity. Our historic hall’s warm acoustics favor spoken word, meaning Diallo’s cadences and shifts in tone carry to every seat, while our technical crew designs lighting that tracks the rhythm of his narrative: bright for the high-energy stretches, minimal for those confessional beats where he leans into the tension of an idea before releasing it. Whether you are discovering his voice for the first time or following him city to city, this stop is curated to let the text breathe and the audience respond in real time—laughter, murmurs, spontaneous applause—exactly the kind of dynamic exchange Libre Arbitre invites.

Current momentum, new material, and a tour built for curiosity

From our vantage point, Libre Arbitre arrives at exactly the right moment in Jean-Benoit Diallo’s trajectory: a period defined by confident writing, nimble stagecraft, and a taste for subjects that matter beyond the laugh. His recent work has sharpened an already distinctive lens—one that probes how we make choices, where instinct collides with habit, and how collective narratives tug at personal agency. That momentum is palpable in the pre-show buzz we’re seeing: audiences chatting about his latest bits, trading favorite moments from his recent appearances, and speculating about the fresh sections he’s road-testing during this Tournée. We’ve collaborated with the production to maintain the show’s fluid architecture—allowing Diallo room for improvisation without sacrificing the spine of the piece—so returning fans can catch brand-new angles while first-timers experience a fully formed evening. With thoughtful pacing and precise transitions, the performance is calibrated to grow across the night, building an arc that feels spontaneous yet meticulously crafted.

Inside the hall, Libre Arbitre unfolds as an exploration of the choices that define us: what we say when no one is listening, what we post when everyone is, where responsibility starts and excuses end. On our stage, Diallo moves from the micro—pet habits, family negotiations, those small acts that reveal who we are—to the macro: algorithms nudging decisions, cultural scripts we inherit, the paradox of wanting freedom while craving guidance. The show’s comedic architecture keeps the audience leaning forward: stories nest inside stories; a throwaway line in the first minutes reappears forty minutes later and detonates; a character sketch suddenly reframes an ethical dilemma. We’ve tuned sound for clarity during quick-fire exchanges and subtle hush during reflective beats, supporting the ebb and flow of laughter and thought. Expect a rapport that blurs the fourth wall—questions tossed into the house, reactions woven back into the set—because Libre Arbitre thrives on the unpredictability of live performance. At PALAIS DE LA MUTUALITE - EDOUARD HERRIOT, that interplay finds a natural home, giving each audience member space to confront the theme at the heart of the evening: when freedom is on the line, which choice—yours, mine, ours—truly belongs to us?