The Debaters Live on Tour Holiday Special comes to the Abbotsford Arts Centre on Friday, Nov. 22 at 7:30 p.m.
The show stars Steve Patterson and two of his funniest comedian/debater friends: Canadian favourite Graham Chittenden and international phenomenon DeAnne Smith.
The production features cutting-edge stand-up from the three seasoned comedians plus two brand-new, never-before-heard debates about the season.
In this age of excessive screens, streams and outraged screams, we’re in danger of losing the most cherished holiday tradition of – face-to-face yuletide tiffs with family.
And that’s where The Debaters Live on Tour Holiday Special comes in.
“Debate is as old as Christmas,” says Patterson, veteran host and multiple-award-winning comedian.
“Even the Three Wise Men debated about which gifts to get baby Jesus and, in the end, none proved very wise. What’s a baby going to do with gold, frankincense or myrrh?
“Given the surroundings, a blanket would have been a much wiser choice. Or a stuffed animal that didn’t smell quite as stable-like as the actual animals at the birth.”
Chittenden comes to the debate from a do-it-yourself perspective, going so far as to debate inanimate objects when a worthy adversary isn’t available: “Who hasn’t argued with a string of Christmas lights in the middle of a snowstorm, while dangling off a ladder? Beginning by threatening the tiny illuminants to ‘light up or else’ and eventually going through the three steps of begging, then prayers, then frozen tears.”
Meanwhile, Smith, whose Netflix special Gentleman Elf and online videos have captivated millions, ironically sees the danger of too much screen time: “With everyone on social media reacting to whatever outrage is circulating that day, we’re losing the opportunity to engage in debates the way they were meant to take place – at the family dinner table, while drowning out ‘It’s A Wonderful Life.'”
The Debaters is a hit CBC Radio show, hosted by Patterson, that features Canadian comedians going toe to toe, debating topics in the news and on the minds of Canadians.
The Abbotsford Arts Centre is located at 2329 Crescent Way. Tickets for the show are available at debaterslive.com.
