Solène Delinger 5:55 p.m., February 19, 2024, modified at 5:59 p.m., February 19, 2024

Amelle Chahbi is back on stage with her new show "Michetonneuse", at the Apollo Théâtre from January 18 to March 30. The comedian fought to bring into existence her funny, spicy and moving play, which explores the sulphurous world of "michtos", these women who seduce and manipulate men for money. For Europe1.fr, the actress talks about this ambitious project which has already won over the public. Interview. 

INTERVIEW

Amelle Chahbi is not afraid of anything. Talking about simmers for an entire show? Not even afraid ! At 43, the actress revealed in the Jamel Comedy Club wants at all costs to defend the subjects that are close to her heart and this is one of them... In her show

Michetonneuse

, Amelle Chahbi plays the role of a seasoned micheto who will attract into his net the young and innocent Shéraz (Léa Issert), who has money problems. Two other young women, exuberant and hilarious (played by Zoé Marchal, Olivier Marchal's daughter, and Lani Sogoyou) are at their side to seduce men with one goal: to extract money from them.

We were at the premiere of Amelle Chahbi's show on January 18, and we laughed out loud at the performances of this female quartet who can do everything, dance, slip into the skin of men and deliver punchlines. Without ever falling into caricature, Amelle Chahbi paints the portrait of four women in the era of the times, ready to do anything to create a better future for themselves, even if it means burning their wings...

Your show has been a hit since its launch on January 18. Did you expect such success?

Deep down, yes. I told myself that this subject was not going to leave anyone indifferent. I knew people would be curious to come. We had the chance to test 30 minutes of show at the Mises en capsules festival. There was a lot of laughter and emotion too. That’s when I felt like it was really going to work. 

Why does the subject of food processors interest you so much? You already talked about it in 2006 in sketches...

I always told myself that there was a real story to tell. These girls are for me the mirror of our society because it is difficult to exist at the moment. You have to be trendy, have the latest fashionable bag, the one that costs the most. Because of this pressure, more and more girls want to make money easily and quickly.

Did you draw inspiration from real food lovers to imagine your characters? 

Yes, I met and observed them. They form groups in which there are several offers for men. It's more than friendship, it's a criminal association. You'll never see four blondes hanging out together. I wanted this panel to be represented in my room with a blonde, a mixed race, a brunette. The birthday stunt, I didn't invent it! One evening, I was at the table with a group of pickers. A guy arrives with a huge bouquet of flowers because one of them made him believe it was his birthday. He leaves again and when we leave the restaurant, she throws the bouquet in the trash. I said to him: “But what are you doing?” She replies: “That’s not going to pay my rent.” I thought it was cruel. But it's his job, there is no affect. 

We laugh a lot during your show but we are also very moved by these four michelons. Did you want to rehabilitate these women, who are often despised? 

Yes because they are feminists denied and ignored! We know they are there, we see them but we don't want to talk about them because it's disturbing. They take power by using men's fantasies and turning them against them. They are going to be the beautiful plant, the one that doesn't talk too much. They are extremely intelligent and are great psychologists! 

Does it work with all men?

Some men will be much more sensitive to the freedom, cerebral charm and personality of a woman. Alas, there are few... 

Do gender inequalities contribute to “meaning”? 

There would be fewer scroungers if there were less inequality, that's for sure! They wouldn't all do this if they had access to more things and were paid as well as men. On the other hand, some scroungers will say "no" if they are offered a job and will prefer to continue because it's easy!

Is it also generational? 

Social networks haven't helped things... In my time, we studied for ten years to become a doctor and we said to ourselves that it was incredible to earn more than 5,000 euros per month. Today, you are an influencer, you show three products while pouting and you win 30,000 euros! 

In your show, the character of Scheherazade falls into “meaning”. At first, she takes great pleasure in earning a lot of money, but she ends up becoming disgusted. What did you want to show? 

I wanted people to feel sorry for Scheherazade and her three scheming friends. When we come out of the show, we don't tell ourselves that we want to become like them. We think they're funny but from a distance... It's painful to do that. In the end, Scheherazade ends up with her dad. She refocuses on authentic things, love, family. This is what makes us all better and above all happier. 

What does this piece mean to you, at this point in your career? 

This piece represents a lot because I had to fight to make it exist. At first, no one followed. Everyone was scared and didn't understand what it was. I talked for days and days with theater directors. These are 60-year-old white men who are afraid of change. They don't want it to move! At the Apollo, she's a director and it was done in 10 minutes. She immediately trusted me.

Is this a situation you have already faced? 

Yes, I have to prove myself every time! Perhaps because I bring popular, mixed, political subjects. I am a woman of North African origin. But fortunately, in our profession, we can exist whatever happens and the public follows us.