Though most familiar to over 750,000 weekly listeners as the host of The Debaters on CBC Radio, it is as an international headline standup comedian where Steve Patterson truly shines.
Struck by the idea of standup as a full-time career in 1997, when he lost his job as a copywriter for making an ad about an amusement park ‘too amusing,’ Patterson has since performed across Canada, as well as Australia, Ireland, Switzerland, the U.K., the U.S. and even the United Arab Emirates (the crowd spoke English … Steve’s not a magician!).
By 2010, steady accolades for his work garnered him a third invitation to perform on the Just For Laughs prestigious televised gala.
Considered to be the highlight of the show by critics and audience alike, Patterson’s performance prompted the legendary comedy icon and gala host, Steve Martin, to quip: “If I’d known he was going to be THAT good, I would have cancelled him.”
The comedy industry formally agreed with Martin, when Patterson was named Canada’s Best Male StandUp Comic at the Canadian Comedy Awards.
The opinion has been universally endorsed by the media:
• “One of this country’s sharpest wits” — Montreal Gazette;
• “Wickedly funny” — Halifax Chronicle Herald;
• “Be it resolved that whip-smart Canadian comic Steve Patterson, host of the hilarious CBC radio show The Debaters, is one funny fellow.” — Globe and Mail;
“If degrees were granted in the study of humour, he would hold a PhD.” — HERE;
“No debate. He’s funny” — NOW.
In November, Patterson begins the third leg of a national tour with his 90-minute, one-man show This Is Not Debatable! He performs Nov. 14 at the Sid Williams Theatre in Courtenay at 7:30 p.m.
With his hallmark gift for capturing a funny turn of phrase, he gleefully seizes the opportunity to express opinions he doesn’t get to voice as moderator of The Debaters — throwing in a couple of original satirical songs to boot.
A full-throttle, pedal-to-the-metal ride!
Tickets for Patterson’s Nov. 14 Courtenay show are available from the Sid Williams box office by phoning 250-338-2430, ext. 1, or visiting www.sidwilliamstheate.com.
— Shantero Productions
