Canadians are reknowned for their televised comedy shows such as This Hour has 30 Minutes, Royal Canadian Air Farce and The Mercer Report. But not many Canadians are aware of the home-grown comedic talent that regularly tours Fringe Festivals throughout North America. TJ Dawe is a young, Vancouver-raised actor who has mounted successful one-man shows since 1998. Here is an overview of some of his most enticing and memorable productions.
Tired Cliches (1998)
The tale of a student, fresh out of university, who has no idea what he will now do with his life (as symbolized by Dawe crashing into a stack of empty boxes over and over), is a pastiche of absurdist and philosophical anecdotes. He speaks of ghosts, the falsity of smiling in photos and performs a perfect rendition of the graceful pukings of a cat. Accompanied by percussionist Jason Overy, TJ Dawe's first work is like a beautiful Beat poem.
A hilarious story about a harried boy working three dead-end jobs: as a stock boy at Shopper's Drug Mart, a bin picker-upper and a Canada Post mail tracer. Weaving through these tales are sub-plots about a long distance relationship, the annoyances of trying to sell a van and the difficulties of finding an apartment.
The Slip-Knot (2001)
Dawe performs this piece by running between three stage lights: red, blue and green, as he breathlessly recounts his mishaps and debacles. He's both manic and charming in his patter. Particularly engaging is his rant against the terrible elevator-style music that shoppers/employees are forced to listen to in the pharmacy. The routine received many awards from Victoria to Toronto and continues to be performed across North America.
Tracks (2002)A one-man play that shows the depth of Dawe's literary foundation, Tracks is an adaptation of Jack London's autobiographical reminiscences of his days as a tramp on the trains while a teenager. Clad in an overcoat and cap, Dawe brings these tales to new life. We hear of Jack risking his life, watch him encounter fascinating and disturbing characters and witness the beginnings of his artistic vision.
Using only a cart on wheels as a prop, and Jason Overy again to provide whistle sounds, Dawe brings us back to a hard and yet simpler time, rich with memorable language.
A Canadian Bartender at Butlin's (2003)Another hilarious account of a bad job, this monologue takes the audience to a summer when Dawe worked at a British holiday camp for the blue collar class. Slaving at one of the nine bars in this barbed wire surrounded barracks, Dawe is bemused by the drinks they serve, their lingo, and their customs. He also introduces us to the characters and love interests that make this job from hell bearable.
Delivering this amusing tale in a dead-pan mode, Dawe draws in the most indifferent listener.
Other terrific Dawe plays are the One Man Star Wars Trilogy (still touring the world in 2008) and yet another awful job piece, Dishpig.
