Award winning comedy duo coming to Gladstone

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Published on Monday, October 12, 2015

Submitted Article

Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

After a career that has seen them travel as far and wide as San Francisco and Chicago, Manitoba sketch comedy troupe Hot Thespian Action is set to appear at the Gladstone and District Community Centre on Oct. 16. 

The show will feature an hour of sketch comedy in the group’s trademark “minimalist” style which forgoes props, sets and costumes in favour of mime and neutral black clothes. This distinctive style has brought them notoriety among the North American comedy scene. They have been nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award three times as “Best Sketch Comedy Troupe.” In 2013 and 2014 Hot Thespian Action was invited to perform in a variety of locations. 

“It’s been a crazy two years performing away from Winnipeg and attending comedy festivals,” says troupe member Shannon Guile. “We’ve had a great time seeing other troupes and what they do, and then showing them how we do things. It’s been an amazing learning experience.”

The troupe, which was a fivesome, has recently become a foursome, due to the departure of member Jacqueline Loewen to pursue her own solo career. 

“We’ve had the same lineup for seven years, so it’s been an adjustment period to work without Jacquie. But it’s actually just forcing us to be more creative,” says Garth Merkeley. “We’ve always reveled in restrictions and limitations, with our lack of props and sets. So one less actor on stage is just an extension of that. I think the audiences will be surprised and delighted with where we’re going.” 

The Gladstone show will also feature local opening act The Good, Bad and the Ugly (James Patterson, Cathy Patterson and Donna Cymbalist.) The band received the most votes from the audience during the 2015 Gladstone's Got Talent event and won the opportunity to open for a main stage show. 

“Encouraging local talent has long been a priority for the board of the Gladstone Community Centre and we are pleased to be able to offer The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly another chance to share their talents, ” said Kelvin Bueckert, GDCC Board Secretary. “It's not often that a local band gets the opportunity to open for a national touring act like Hot Thespian Action. So, I'm excited for them! By the way, I would like to point out that any profits from this will go to support the ongoing operations of our community centre. So, this really is a community oriented event. ”

Doors open in Gladstone at 7:00 p.m. Show time is 7:30 p.m. 

For more information visit www.gdccshows.com