25th
Dick & Honey: On the Road Part II
Well I am back in Montreal sitting on my sectional couch watching out for the mice that have infested my home since I left. Nothing like the scritchedy scratchedy welcoming home of your long lost mice pals. ”Welcome home” the mice cheered as they did kart-wheels and somersaults saluting my return.
But back to the matter at hand, the Dick and Honey Tour. On Saturday morning after a quick bran muffin and scrambled eggs made by me Mom, “Is that rosemary?, Nice one Mom!,” we headed on the road at 730 am.
We burned through the prairies laughing as we went. Playing car games to keep awake and fill the time. Counting cow herds, inventing movies, and discussing the cult-like calling, improv seems to have on its’ followers.
Finally we arrived in Edmonton, the home of Rapid Fire Theatre. This company is the reason I am an improviser. And we happened to be driving into town on the weekend of it’s 30th anniversary. 30 years of make-em ups. Pretty amazing to see how far the company has come and how many people have filtered through it’s ranks. I attended a little wine and social for alumni and current players to celebrate the company and what it has done for us as individuals, as performers, as friends. Looking around i begin to notice all the connections that this company had provided for these people in their lives. People have found their best friends, life partners, and comedy partners at this theatre.
There were speeches by former Artistic Directors of the company. Pretty heart warming to say the least. And I felt myself getting incredibly nervous all of a sudden.
We were playing the second half of Chimprov. Which is the name of Rapid Fire Theatre’s long form show that runs every Saturday at 11 pm. In the first half there is a ten minute opener, and then a set of 25 to 30 minutes. And then the second half is a 45 minute set. Each week new troupes fill these slots. On our show the Artistic Director Amy Shostak and senior player Kory Mathewson were doing a debate format. Very funny, there were arguing whether or not Lil’ Wayne is better than Dr. Seuss.
The 25 minute slot was taken by the very talented duo, Like Father Like Son starring again two senior players of Rapid Fire Theatre Julian Faid and Jesse Mcphee. So funny, so punch you in the face funny. Quick transitions and heavy hitting comedy these boys know what they are doing.
The crowd was packed nearly 200 people. Amazing. I used to play to a crowd this big every Friday Night. It is such a great experience. So much energy. And there was. Dick and Honey went fantastically that night. We had so much fun on stage with it. The show was about cookie eating, rumours of being a slut, and writing a novel. It was a great evening and one of our best shows to date. I was thankful to have played a successful show at the theatre where i got my start.
After a very delicious coffee and breakfast with my old friends from Edmonton, at Leva (best coffee in Edmonton, hands down… can i do that? i just did!) we set back on the road to the Loose Moose Theatre in Calgary.
In Montreal I have worked with two power house improvisers who were Loose Moose alumni, Eric Amber and Sandi Armstrong. I felt like from these two people I learnt to focus on story, focus on the narrative and strong platforms. They both are amazing performers and teachers. As well Patti Stiles is a former Loose Mooser, and also was the Artistic Director at Rapid Fire for some years a while back, and now artistic director of a company in Melbourne, Australia. Hello! Suffice to say I was excited to see the Moose. A legendary company in Canadian Improv. And what a cool space. A theatre where only improv is done and you can tell. The back stage easily accessibly filled with props, chairs, tables, costumes and on stage so many entrances, door ways, even a draw bridge.
It was odd for me. We continued miming our doors.. which I think was an odd choice. But it is hard for us to go off stage, we always want to be seeing what the other person is doing. We had a really fun show there about a half marathon, alcoholism and stuttering. Great audience and great space and great people. I would love to watch a Theatresports there and see the Loose Moosers really use the stage to it’s potential.
My friend and an improviser Rob Mitchelson opened for us with his band. It was fantastic. It has been amazing how improvisors in all the cities have pitched in to help us make our show happen, just out of love for improv and out of excitement for the opportunity to see something different. I hope we delivered.
All in all we had a fantastic trip. Alot of driving and I wish we could have spent a bit more time in each city, so we could see a few more local shows, and/or play a few more local shows. That is sometimes the best part of touring is getting to play with new improvisers.
Anyhow…. haven’t done the accounting yet… eeef. But hopefully we make it on the plus side. I had a blast and though my butt and back were achy from the driving, I was sad to see the tour and excitement and adventure come to an end.
But mice or no mice. It is good to be home.
