Breaking Blog Silence... With a fart?

So I've been 100% nuts, and busy... and well...ok, just too busy carbo-loading like a Nigerian marathon runner to post. But really nuts - I'm literally losing my mind, somewhere between Plato's theory of justice and his idea of the happy life, both of which I'm no closer to attaining than I am to being in the Broadway production of "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas"... though perhaps I have a suitable tinge of green due to increased junk food consumption and nerves.

But on that note.. I am indeed posting today to give some righteous "props" as the kids say, to my dear friend Trent and his troop of.. ahem.. well, troops is a nice word, who received an all too fabulous review in the papers about their comedy show. It's starting tonight, Planet Ze, all the info is in the article that I am posting, IN FULL, below, because that's just what kind of gal I am. I can only speak from my experiences with Trent on various wine filled friday nights, which would probably have sketch comedy labels like "The Vagina Song", "Trivial Poopsuit" and "Is that Hugh Hefner or Kurt Vonnegut in a ratty bathrobe?". He's hilarious. 'Nuff said.

Oh, and if you're terribly lucky, I'll be guest/volunteer bartending for Trent a couple evenings, in a suitably tip inducing outfit. I mean, if you're not into comedy, there's at least me in heels. Which is comedic itself in a sad, sad way.

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Christmas Comedy Gets a Little Sketchy
David Berry, Vue Weekly

In just over a year of being together, Mostly Water Theatre has already figured out The Science of Funny and told everyone How To Not Suck.

One would expect, then, that the foursome—Sam Varteniuk (the smart one), Matt Stanton (the angry one), Craig Buchert (the idiot) and Trent Wilkie (the other idiot)—has a pretty good idea of who they are and just how funny they can be.

“I like to think we’re the type of guys who could perform for the Prime Minister and get away with swearing,” says Varteniuk, peering through oval-shaped glasses, mouth locked in a permanent dry, half-droop. “We are a bit vulgar, but I like to think that it’s kind of laced with intellect—or maybe it’s intellect laced with vulgarity. Basically, we like to have someone poop in a bucket, but we like it to be Freudian.”

The group’s Freudian shit jokes have evidently caught on. After forming just over a year ago to do a Christmas show—which means that this year’s edition, XXXMas 2: Falalalala-lala-luck Off, functions as both Christmas revelry and one-year anniversary—Mostly Water has been gaining steam ever since. Science of Funny debuted at Nextfest to high praise, but it was their Fringe show, How to Not Suck, that really earned them their crude, hilarious stripes, their stage-and-film show earning them comparisons to sketchcom legends like SCTV and Kids in the Hall.

Though they obviously don’t mind the big comparisons—really, who would, I suppose—for them sketch comedy boils down to something a bit simpler: flat-out fun.

“It’s instant gratification,” Wilkie animatedly explains. “I look at it like we’re kind of a band, and we write songs, though we don’t really play them again and again. But there’s a different feel to each skit, you were in different moods when you wrote them, and they’re just kind of up there and out.”

“Plus, there’s a maturity attached to writing a full-length play that I don’t think I’ve achieved,” Varteniuk adds. “It’s knowing you have something to say, or a story to tell. I have more smartass comments, I think.”

If smartass comments are what work, though, there’s no sense buttering your bread with provocative drama. Future maturity that may lead to more long-form, intricate drama notwithstanding, for now the group just feels lucky that Edmonton audiences have responded to their particular brand of humour.

“One reviewer described us as ‘a night out with four of your funniest friends,’” Varteniuk explains. “I think that’s one of the best responses we’ve gotten or could hope to get.” V

Dec 7 - 9 &14 - 16 (8 pm)
XXXMas 2: Falalalala-lala-luck off
Directed by David DeGagne
Written & performed by Craig Buchert, Matt Stanton, Sam Varteniuk, Trent Wilkie
Planet Ze Design Centre (10055 - 80 Avenue), $12 - $15

Back to the books, miss you all!