When Canadians think of British comedy, actors like Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) and John Cleese (Monty Python) often come to mind.
And who can forget Patricia Routledge, who plays Hyacinth Bucket in Keeping Up Appearances, who insists that her last name is Bouquet?
While these people have done plenty to create fits of laughter in people around the world, British comedy is much more than this.
“It’s about rhythm and history,” says Matt Kirshen, one of the performers in the Capital One Just For Laughs Comedy Tour, which comes to the Confederation Centre of the Arts on Oct. 28 at 7 p.m.
The first-ever British edition features a sidesplitting lineup of comics from across the pond, introduced by Canadian comedy star Steve Patterson (The Debaters) with a history lesson from Kirshen.
“British stand-up comedy started in the mid 1970s, whereas American and Canadian stand-up comedy started about 20 years before during the jazz age. In contrast, British comedy started in the punk age. Because of this, the rhythm is different. British comedy is much more conversational. There’s less of what is referred to as a fourth wall, an imaginary boundary between any fictional work and its audience.
“So with British stand-up comedy, it’s about engaging the audience, whereas American comedy is more about the audience enjoying the performance,” he says.
Kirshen, a finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing, is excited about being part of the tour.
While other comedians spend weeks putting their shtick together. he prefers to fly by the seat of his pants.
“I talk about anything that happens to amuse me. I might talk about relationships. I might talk about politics or I might tell true stories about things that have happened to me. Whatever it is, I try to stay fresh and in the moment,” says Kirshen who joins U.K. comedians Hal Cruttenden, Sean Meo and Terry Alderton for a fun show.
