February 19, 2010 | 2010 Olympics >
Vancouver, Theatre & Performing Arts
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Anyone experiencing a sense of humour failure from waiting in too many Olympic lines – needs a dose of Teatro Tatro – the Magical Theatrical Vending Machine from Slovakia. My absolute favourite of all the free Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad events – this live improv comedy troupe are hilarious.
Using their rustic truck as stage, backstage and even home, these Slovakians dress in baggy woolen jumpsuits and re-enact Olympic sports as spoofy sketches. A small child usually gets to spin their wheel of chance – and the winning number dictates the winter sport. Cue ski-jumping from the top of their caravan, fighting off aggressive seagulls, or dubious looking luge positions. Meanwhile, Josef the giant polar bear keeps sweeping the stage of imaginary snow – a joke on the lack of white stuff at Cypress Mountain.
For more comedy improv in Vancouver, I love the TheatreSports League who perform on Granville Island (audiences throw out scenarios and the actors take it from there). Yuk Yuk’s at the Century Plaza hotel downtown, is great for stand-up comedy, attracting local and international stars.
Come summer, I usually head outdoors for my theatre fix, catching Shakespeare plays at Bard on the Beach in Kitsilano (tip: go on a fireworks night) or musicals at Stanley Park. For Broadway hits, the Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts is the place to go – and the Vancouver Playhouse puts on quality classical and contemporary plays.