Vancouverites have long since earned a reputation for being as dour as our miserable weather. But like the welcome rays of sunshine on our vitamin D-deficient faces, the brave women and men of Vancouver’s comedy scene seek to make us smile, or at least have us shoot beer out of our noses. Night after night, they take to the stage in their attempt to take over the world, one laugh at a time. Kelsey Klassen rounds up some local comedy kingpins to find what makes them tic.
Paul Anthony (@TalentTime, TalentTime.tv)
Who are you? Paul Anthony.
Age? Infinite.
Where are you from? Winnipeg, but I’ve been here since 1998.
Describe what you do for a living? I put on other peoples’ clothes and speak other peoples’ words (actor). When I’m not doing that, I’m scouring the suburbs for unique talent to showcase in the big city (Paul Anthony’s Talent Time).
What is your claim to fame? Probably this article. Or dying in the first couple minutes of Blade Trinity…maybe the film Suck? Or locals may know me as “the Talent Time guy.” But probably this article.
How does comedy in Vancouver compare now to the year you started? I started early 2000s. Graham Clark had just taken over the Laugh Gallery on Commercial Drive. There were so many great comics experimenting with humour. Zach Galifianakis was living here and very much part of the scene. “Alternative comedy” was everywhere; it was a really vibrant, exciting time. Seemed like it was more exciting then, but that’s maybe because I was so young when everything felt so new and possibilities were endless…
Best Vancouver-based comedians, other than you? That’s a brutal question. There are so many extremely strong comics in town. And many newer ones that I know will be on this list next year. I will start super obvious with Graham Clark, Charlie Demers, Ivan Decker, and Dino Archie. I adore Katie-Ellen Humphries. Sean Emeny absolutely kills me. I think he’s a genius. I’m always surprised and delighted by whatever Andrew Barber and Emmett Hall cook up. I love watching Darcy Michael take a suburban crowd of thugs and turn them into playful puppies. If everyone in the world could see him perform, homophobia would no longer be a thing. Possibly the most under-appreciated stand up in town and a guy with the most (sometimes misunderstood) layers is John Beuhler. He’s just great. And for dessert, I’ll take the power house that is The Sunday Service.
Anything coming up that you’re really excited about? I am putting on a one-off Talent Time show at the Rio Theatre, June 20. There is this duo of nine-year-olds who have choreographed the most insane dance to the Super Mario Brothers theme song that I need to share. To make use of the massive stage I’m also booking a high-flying cheerleading stunt squad and the Vancouver Rabbit Agility Club. It’s not unlike the Super Dogs show at the PNE but a lot slower and cuter. Plus a couple great comedians of course.
Dino Archie (@DinoArchie)
Who are you? Dino Archie... I mean even Socrates questioned who he was, but I think I’m Dino Archie.
Age? 31.
Where are you from? Fresno, California
Describe what you do for a living? I’m a comedian telling goofs and spoofs throughout the land in exchange for limelight and legal tender.
Why are you so funny? Man, I’d feel like an asshole if I just answered that with a real answer.
Give me one factor/influence on the state of the comedy scene here? The audience. They can see Chappelle or Bill Burr or Kevin Hart online or when they come to the city. As a comedian I have to keep people interested in seeing my stuff on stage. Without that you’re just doing open mics in front of other comics.
Your favourite local annual comedy event? The VanCity Comedy Extravaganza. I started producing this comedy series with Jeff Donnelly last summer at the Vogue Theatre. I was able to work with Ivan Decker, Dave Merheje from TO and Brent Morin from LA. We did another at the River Rock Theatre in January and sold it out. June 27 is the next one at the River Rock. Four good comics, Americans, Canadians, DJ on stage, and an after party, it’s a really cool event and people really dig it.
Favourite stage to perform on? Damn tough one. Vogue Theater, River Rock, The Comedy Mix, Kino. But I’ve had some fun sets at Goldies Pizza shop.
Sara Bynoe (@SaraBynoe, SaraBynoe.com)
Who are you? Sara Bynoe actor, writer, host and producer of Teen Angst Night and Say Wha?! Readings of Deliciously Rotten Writing.
Age? Why do you want to know? Are you trying to steal my identity?
Where are you from? Canada. Stop trying to steal my personal information, you crook!
What is your claim to fame? I’m the most single woman in Vancouver.
What is the Canadian equivalent of “making it”? Getting on The Mike Bullard show. Is that still on?
The comedy scene in Vancouver: Still growing, already peaked, booming? Explain... It’s growing. There are so many shows now that I never see my friends in my audience – they’re too busy doing their own shows. Y’all should check out Instant Theatre, Little Mountain, The Laugh Gallery, The Hero Show, Comedy Gems at the Emerald, The Ryan and Amy show, there are also great comedy shows happening at Hot Art Wet City and the Rio Theatre and so many more. It’s the indie comedy scene that inspires me the most.
Darkest day so far in the journey? The day I was asked to wear high heels and a trench coat and show up to an audition in Room 306 at Bosman’s Hotel.
Ivan Decker (@IvanDecker)
Who are you? I am Ivan of house Decker. Son of Kenneth. Father of none. ...sorry i’ve been watching a lot of Game of Thrones
Age? 28 years old.
Where are you from? I grew up in the suburbs of Vancouver in a town called Ladner. It’s a place where when you tell people you’re from there they will inevitably ask “Did you mean Langley?” I now reside in Gastown in one of many tiny apartments that are in buildings that used to be factories.
Describe what you do for a living? I do stand up comedy. Which means that I spend quite a bit of time in airports or driving a rental car through the mountains. I travel a lot but I’m still not at a “wear pajama pants on the plane” kind of level. Seriously why are you wearing pajama plants on a flight to Calgary? It’s one hour! You couldn’t sit and wear normal pants for an hour? Get your life together.
How long have you been doing this? Answering these questions? I dunno. I’m like halfway done the coffee I ordered when I started. If you mean stand-up, I started when I was 19, so almost 10 years.
Your earliest memory of comedy? When I was eight years old, my parents and brothers took a trip into Vancouver to spend the day in the city. We were down near the Plaza of Nations and there used to be a comedy club there. When we walked by I saw the sign and really wanted to go in. I asked my mother and she said, “No you don’t. It’s probably just a bunch of guys talking about their dicks.” Twenty-eight years later and I’m certain she was right.
Vancouver standup scene vs Improv scene. Your thoughts on the state of each… When I started out in comedy in Vancouver I remember there being a real divide between the two and they really didn’t seem to get along. Now it seems like they are starting to cross over more and I love it. I definitely hope that trend continues. Stand-up is in a pretty good place now. There are two comedy clubs going in the city and a ton of one night options to see with a lot of very funny comedians. There are still shows that charge money for comedians that aren’t very good and for a first time comedy patron that can hurt their overall view of stand up which is kind of annoying. I wish people would give it more chances than going to see one poorly run open mic and swearing off comedy forever. I don’t know much about the inner workings of the improv scene but I’ve seen a ton of great improv in Vancouver and I really respect what they do. It’s something I wish I was better at.
