Top Canadian comic wants to get to know Bermuda

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30: If critically acclaimed comic Derek Edwards starts asking too many questions, watch out — your answers may well end up as material in his upcoming comedy show.

Former Canadian Comic of the Year, who is due to perform as part of Just for Laughs in January, says he likes to find inspiration for his jokes by chatting to locals in the pubs and coffee shops.

“Sometimes you don’t have time to research the place but if you do, the best thing to do is find the local newspaper, or even better, find a coffee shop or pub and get into some kind of conversation.

“The answers you get from the people working at the hotels are very formulaic, I guess they get put upon by hundreds of people and you don’t get the truth — you get a Reader’s Digest version. But if you can find a real person you will get the best material.”

Fond memories

Edwards has fond memories of Bermuda having performed here in 2008 alongside international comedians Finesse Mitchell, Jo Koy and Bermuda’s Jonathan Young. The island’s quirky attire in particular struck a chord with him.

“I remember the Bermuda shorts with the long socks — all you see is the knee bone for Christ sake! It’s beautiful — how can you not be charmed?”

The sixth annual comedy event runs over three days between City Hall and the Fairmont Southampton Resort and also brings wholesome American Ryan Hamilton, Perrier Award-nominated Brit Alun Cochrane along with Bermuda’s perennial favourite Alonzo Bodden. Jonathan Young will also bring his own satirical style to the stage.

Edwards was recently hailed as a “virtuoso at the peak of performance” and his material has a tendency to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary.

He has been featured on numerous television and radio shows, is a two-time Gemini Award nominee and in 2005 earned the accolade of Canadian Comic of the Year at the Canadian Comedy Awards.

Tour

Edwards has filled theatres across Canada and most recently completed a 60-city tour of his solo show, My Blunderful Life charting the pivotal moments we are confronted with in our 20s, 30s and 40s.

Edwards says he was first inspired to become a comedian when he saw Canadian comic Norm MacDonald who went on to host the weekly news round-up on Saturday Night Live. Another great inspiration to Edwards was the quirky British troupe Monty Python.

“Monty Python’s comedy was about the absurd and the silly and I love that. They have influenced me, I don’t know how but they are always in the background — they have always cracked me up. The phrasing, perfect use of language the hilarity of the accent, everything about it was a charm to me and it set me on loving comedy.

“That’s what I shoot for — I don’t make it very often but I get a few phrases in that people immediately know what I’m talking about. If you can describe something in three words instead of 30 then you are much closer to the punch line — it all comes back to trying to make some strangers chuckle.”

One of the greatest comedians in Edwards’ eyes is the late George Calin.

“George was an artist, I am just a clown. George was masterful. When I was at university in London, Ontario he came to town to play at alumni hall playing 1,500 seats. I was an impressionable kid, I was 19, and I saw this guy in a cosy little theatre and he knocked down the walls he was phenomenal. He came on and did two hours just one man standing there and people were laughing, crying, they were sore they laughed so hard. If that doesn’t change your life somehow nothing will.”

While Edwards is know for his “low voice and sarcastic delivery”. He talks about everyday situations — everything from his marriage to owning a dog to mad cow disease. One thing he doesn’t focus on much is politics.

“Political jokes? I’m from Canada — nobody gives a s**t about politics. Sometimes we watch the American elections but we don’t care. George W Bush, what a beautiful target he was huh? Everyday he would say another thing — you remember that classic one ‘is our children learning?’

“But we have the most uninteresting Prime Minister (Stephen Harper) — he never speaks. He’s like a stuffed animal or something. He is an economist and has all that Joie de Vivre going for him that an economist has.”

Edwards is currently taking a break from his tour schedule to focus on writing two sitcom shows that are in the pitching stage.

One of the shows is about a guy who thought he had cancer and it begins with him finding out he is cured.

“He is devastated,” laughs Edwards, ”because he’s told his boss to f*** off, he’s run up like a million dollars on his credit cards and he’s been a jerk to everybody and now he’s got to rebuild his life. It’s kind of a novel idea.”

The show is set to open with six episodes and it succeeds then they will try another six.

Show schedule:

Wednesday, January 11: Alonzo Bodden Solo Show, Best of Alonzo Bodden from 8pm, City Hall Theatre. Reserved seating. Tickets are $45.
Thursday, January 12: Cabaret Show from 8pm, Fairmont Southampton’s Mid-Ocean Amphitheatre. Tickets are $85. The ticket price includes drink service at your table, optional finger-food menu.
Friday, January 13 & 14: Gala Show on the 13th is from 8:30pm, and on the 14th from 7pm & 10pm. Both shows are  at the Fairmont Southampton’s Mid-Ocean Amphitheatre.

Tickets are $75 (general admission), $85 (reserved seating). Available at www.bdatix.bm, in person at All Wrapped Up (Washington Mall) and Fabulous Fashions (Heron Bay Plaza).
Order by phone at 232-2255. For additional event information visit www.comedyevent.bm or call 232-8499. Also see visit www.hahaha.com.