"Le Quatuor" - Encore!

I just got back a couple hours ago from seeing a performance of "Le Quatuor," a very funny and entertaining musical play of sorts, at the Théâtre des Variétés. It's getting late and I still have a little homework to do, but just wanted to jot down some thoughts quickly before bed.

When I wrote "of sorts" above, it's because it is hard to really classify "Le Quatuor." Basically, the whole show is a concert performed by a string quartet (or quatuor), but it involves much more than simply classical music. The musicians really put on a performance in every sense of the word, combining masterful technical skill on their violins, violas, cellos -- and, in one sequence, electric guitars and a drum kit -- with singing and great physical comedy. They played a little of everything, from Bach to the Beatles, and really kept the audience entertained.

Some highlights:

• Playing their string instruments with combs
• Two performers playing each other's violins (see the YouTube clip from a different show below, starting around 1:00)
• The bass player balancing and standing on top of his instrument
• After the lights went out, having the whole quartet come out with electric instruments
• Turning the show into a big sing-along with what seemed like traditional French songs
• Ending said sing-along with a French-accented performance of Michael Jackson's "Thriller"

Also, a stray observation about the French, having now seen three concerts and/or plays: At the end of a performance, after the usual applause, everyone begins to clap in unison as a sort of percussive chant/request for an encore. Unsurprisingly, the performers comply, and the process continues for another two or three times. Sometimes I just want to say "enough already," but tonight's show was so fun that I didn't mind at all.