The Artesian on 13th is the site of One Night Only sketch comedy show. photo by Jasmine Pelletier
The One Night Only sketch comedy show is coming back this December for its second year running. The first show took place in February 2020 before the COVID-19 pandemic so one night has been extended to two to in order to accommodate capacity regulations.
Similarly to last year, the show will take place at the Artesian on 13th Avenue in Regina. The two shows are scheduled to take place respectively on December 3rd and 4th at 8:00 p.m.
At last year’s show, the cast-members had no idea that they would have to wait so long for a second One Night Only, seeing as shut-down regulations were implemented roughly a month after the first performance took place.
“I guess when we called it One Night Only we actually meant that at the time.”
Writer and performer Andrew Parry is excited to get back on stage with his castmates.
“I’m pumped. I don’t know how to describe it any other way. I think I also keep feeling like whenever I talk to someone like oh, man, it’s so dumb. It’s so funny… I’m really amped to get all 10 of us to be creating it together. So I’m really excited.”
Performer and theatre artist Sarah Bergbush feels the same.
“I’m really looking forward to performing with everybody again and making people laugh. And we’re performing at the Artesian, which is a really special space for the like theater and arts community in Regina, and it is going I know it’s gonna feel amazing to be performing in there again.”
Bergbush explored gender-bent performance and played mostly male characters in the 2020 show. They are, however, looking forward to bringing more female characters to life for the upcoming sketch comedy event.
“I think it’s great. I think women are funny and it’s great to have more. Yep, funny female characters and I’m really happy about it, and I hope that we continue to see more of that. And, and as well as like more artists of color and more characters of color in people’s writing and creation work in Regina.”
Parry is hoping the audience is as receptive as they were in 2020.
“I think that there was something so good about the last time that we did this show that our audience really connected with just the absolute camaraderie… everyone was involved, and everyone was in on that joke the entire time… I hope that the audience takes home the reminder what a night out and what arts and culture can really bring to a city.”
This year’s cast is larger and the show will feature more sketches than before. There is also a musical element to the show, thanks to a collaboration with musical guest Beach Body, a Regina band who will be playing throughout the show.
The primary sketch writers behind the upcoming show are Andrew Parry, Cole Nicholson, Cameron Chomyn and Tom Duffy.
