Whether you’re single, married, or somewhere in between, an improv comedy show coming to the Kawarthas for the first time will deliver all the excitement of a first date — but without all the awkward silences.
Created and directed by veteran Toronto comedian Paul Bates, who also performs in the show along with four other stellar improv performers, Hookup runs for three nights from July 10 to 12 at Globus Theatre in Bobcaygeon.
Originally staged with a Valentine’s Day theme to sold-out audiences at Toronto’s Factory Theatre back in February, the show combines audience participation with improv theatre to create a different unscripted romantic comedy every night.
After introducing themselves to the audience, the improv performers question the audience to find two suitable candidates who share details about their lives, likes and dislikes, and turn-ons and turn-offs. From there, the performers improvise a story of what might happen if those two audience members did actually “hook up” — with hilarious results.
“This show is a gut-laugh inducing 70 minutes with this team of improv comedy pros,” wrote Andrea Perez of NEXT Magazine of the Factory Theatre production. “And with a new show every night, I’m tempted to go back and see their shenanigans again.”
Joining Bates on the Globus stage from the original Factory Theatre production are Christy Bruce, Alastair Forbes, and Kris Siddiqi, along with Aurora Browne, who audience members will recognize as the co-creator and co-star of Baroness Von Sketch Show.
Paul Bates got his start at The Second City in Toronto, where he wrote and performed in six revues, with his other stage credits including SlapShot Live, It’s A Wonderful Toronto, An Inconvenient Musical, and SARSical, for which he received a Dora Award nomination. He has performed on television in Dan For Mayor, Workin’ Moms, Kim’s Convenience, Baroness Von Sketch Show and more, with film credits including The Comey Rule, The Tuxedo, Welcome to Mooseport, and Camille.
Originally from Calgary, Christy Bruce has performed on stages across Canada, Europe, and Australia, including in Miracle on Queen St, Sleeping Beauty, Jack, Blind Date, Dracula: The Bloody Truth, The Canadian, Undercover, and many more. Her television performances include Run the Burbs, Schitt’s Creek, The Handmaid’s Tale, Designated Survivor, Suits, Orphan Black, and more.
Alastair Forbes, who has been a professional improvisor for over 20 years and is an alumni of The Second City in Toronto, is a three-time nominee for the Canadian Comedy Awards’ improvisor of the year award, winner of the World’s Biggest Improv Tournament, and has received numerous accolades performing at improv festivals from Vancouver to Athens to Copenhagen.
Toronto comedian, actor, and writer Kris Siddiqi studied with The Second City in Toronto before going on to a career in voice work as well as taking on principal roles for many cartoons and becoming a series regular on CBC Radio’s Because News. Among many other awards, his miniseries Bit Playas won two Canadian Screen Awards for best writing and best series. His film and television credits include I Woke Up a Vampire, Titans, Molly’s Game, The Boys, and Baroness Von Sketch Show.
Originally from Thunder Bay, Aurora Browne began her career in Toronto with The Second City before going to to appear in television shows including Orphan Black, The Gavin Crawford Show, and Corner Gas, among others.
As well as co-creating and co-starring in Baroness Von Sketch Show, Browne was a co-creator, co-writer, and star of the hit web series Newborn Moms. She has received multiple Canadian Comedy Awards nominations, and won the best female improviser award in 2008.
“Hookup is funny, silly, sometimes crazy, but ultimately about human connection and love,” Bates says in a media release. “We can’t wait to explore these universal themes in Bobcaygeon and to bring your stories to life on stage.”
Hookup runs at 8 p.m. from Thursday, July 10 to Saturday, July 12, with an optional dinner available before the show at 6 p.m. Tickets are $50 for the show only, or $100 for dinner and the show (plus tax and fees), and are available at www.globustheatre.com/shows-all/hookup or by calling the box office at 705-738-2037.
Note: the show includes adult themes, sexual themes, and swearing.
