A hoser on tour.
That’s how Canadian funnyman Derek Edwards describes himself in a quickie interview with the Progress.
Edwards is back in the ‘Wack on Friday, April 17 with his new show, Baloney & Wine.
“I had a lot of fun last time, and I’m really looking forward to this show,” he said about his return after four years.
Prepare for an uproarious romp as the Just for Laughs veteran takes the audience through some of the funnier quirks of human nature.
So what’s the theme of this yuk-fest?
“Well a theme might be overly definitive for what I like to think of as a whimsical foray, a flippin’ and floppin’ steam of consciousness if you will.
“But I do try to get in the zone when I’m on stage. It’s a simple exchange of energy between the crowd and performer — not a by-rote recitation of the previous night’s show.”
He wants people to let down their hair and have a little fun.
“Come on out and have some cheap laughs. It’s cathartic they say!”
He was performing on the east coast this past winter during their ferocious ‘snowmaggedon’ season.
“It was like something from a sci-fi movie with 14 feet of snow. You walk down side street and it’s just surreal because the snowbanks are over your head! It was a miracle actually now that I think of it, that anyone came to the show. That said, they are a hardy group.”
He’s been busy, preparing for a TV special for the Winnipeg Comedy Festival.
“It’s delightful for many of us old school guys to get together and do the taping. So often on the road you’re out there by yourself.”
He’s also preparing be a guest on an episode of CBC Radio’s The Debaters.
“I have to argue which are better, spoons or forks.”
Edwards throws out some of the ideas.
“How about this? You can’t really eat corn with a fork, now can you? The same goes for rice and peas. And just try to cook heroin with a fork.”
That will take him a tiny bit of his wheelhouse.
“It’s important to get out of your comfort zone sometimes. I find it terrifying when I have to do something I’ve never done before.”
It’s hard to believe such a natural comic is ever nervous. Edwards is a four-time nominee, and winner of ‘Best Standup Comic’ from the Canadian Comedy Awards, as well as a multiple Gemini nominee.
His 90-minute standup show promises to be richly textured, delivered with pace and authority.
Derek Edwards performs Baloney and Wine comedy show, April 17, at the Cultural Centre, $40 (fees/sc extra), 7:30 p.m. For clips see www.shantero.com
