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Theatre Interview: Better than Shakespeare
Sketch comedy troupe Better than Shakespeare may not really be superior to our man Shakes, but they are damn funny. This Montreal-based quintet rocked the Tim Sims Playhouse this fall and now they’re back again Friday and Saturday at the Poor Alex. Torontoist e-mailed ringleader Dan Beirne (who used to write the Waiting for Nathan column at tangmonkey) to ask a few pertinent questions about the dark, dry stylings of BTS.
How long has Better than Shakespeare been together?
I don’t remember when this was exactly, but I remember we were all in the car together on one of our drives (we’re all friends, too) and we heard two back-2-back episodes of Double Exposure on the radio, and I just screamed, “I’ve got bills to pay!”
Are you indeed Better than Shakespeare?
That is the name of our troupe, yes. What is the name of your troupe?
If you were a character from Shakespeare (pronounced: the band Pavement), which character would you be?
Wow, Kelly, I’m so glad you asked this question. I would be Mark Ibold (I’m not ashamed), Roger would be Malkmus (careful what you wish for), Jon would be Bob Nastanovich (obviously), Kevin would be both Steve West AND Gary Young, and Joe would be Spiral Stairs (someone’s gotta do it). Man, great question.
Sketch comedy is a dying art form. True or false?
False. It is LONG since dead. Mea Culpa.
What’s so funny about Toronto?
The/That constant hum/ming. It’s sort of funny for a while.
The deets:
Better Than Shakespeare
sketch comedy
at the Poor Alex Theatre (296 Brunswick, at Bloor)
Jan. 14th and 15th
8pm
probably Ten dollars
(opener: Gregory Cochrane)