My love for Shakespeare has limits. Rain in the forecast and the cruel joke of August sweaters had me passing on a planned picnic to As You Like it in High Park . I could feel a pout coming on. Perhaps it was just the picnic souring. But this is Toronto the What-the-hell-are-you-doing-home-surfing Netflix-for? and there is always a replacement. Off we trot to the Bad Dog Theatre Company, celebrating their launch week for their new digs, right down the street from their old residency at the Comedy Bar on Bloor Street in Toronto. Rolling into an evening with no real idea of what you’re going to see is a riot. Two shows, cheap prices for tickets and beer and we’ve caught the festive mood in full bloom.
Last seen at the Fringe, the talents behind this improv company run deep and demented, only way to go. We caught a pair of shows. The Doppelgänger Video Project involved twinning two groups-one filmed a loose narrative as set up, shown to the audience, as well as the other group for the first time who then had to pick up the story and improvise a second act. Conceptually this was only fair but strong improv skills made for enough hilarity to satisfy. Sticking around for the second show proved even better kicks. Sex T-Rex, a popular foursome with great instincts, brought the house down but the night belonged to visiting Montreal act, Easy Action, a duo (Brent Skagford and Marc Rowland) whose act, inspired by a request from the audience for a famous line from a pop song, involved improvising a physically demanding action film. I will never hear I just died in your arms tonight again without thinking of these talented two, mugging it all over the stage floor. Friggin’ awesome. Funny Meter:off the charts.
Launch week continues tonight and tomorrow. City councillor Mike Layton, in the house last night, told the rowdy crowd this stretch of Toronto is quickly becoming a comedy haven. In our group, plans were already being made for return visits with friends. We know a good night out when we see one.
Here’s your fun (ok, disclaimer, not all of it) browse for Friday.
I used to tan. I used to be stupid clearly. Now, a degree wiser, I wear sun shirts, floppy hats and try to remember my ears when I slop on sunscreen. Watch this and you will too.
Maybe they should just take that video to beaches around the world to help with crowd control. But then what would this slightly crazy mofo do to get his stunning photographs? He would just find another helicopter, another awesome location.
This one’s for my parents, who remembered the film camera, along with all the other junk one brings when carting five kids around in a station wagon. Three cheers for old movies because,
When our civilization lies in ruins, its hard drives and data will stymie future historians. A film strip, on the other hand, will always be something that speaks for itself.
Sean Rogers
He’s cheese, but I love cheese. She’s one summer, when I all did was lip sync to this. Together they’re duet heaven.
Happy Friday. 18 days until school starts. Get out and grab summer while you can.
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