The Most Pathetic Man Ever kidnaps the Funniest Man Alive to make the Saddest Girl in the World laugh… sounds like the beginning of a great joke.
Punch Up is a hilarious dark comedy that follows Duncan, a recluse who kidnaps his favourite comedian to make a girl laugh. What follows is a comedic romp that touches on the origins of comedy and love while trampling through every comic trope from slapstick to knock knock jokes.
The play debuted in last year’s Toronto Fringe Festival where it was met with yet another sold out run for Sandler and was hailed as her “best play yet”, winning every award imaginable including Best of Fringe, Patron’s Pick, and Outstanding Production, New Play, Ensemble, and Direction awards from NOW Magazine. “When I saw this play, I knew I had to bring it to Sydney,” says HAT Artistic Director, Wesley J. Colford. “I’ve never laughed so hard or so often.”
Colford returns to the stage as Duncan, The Most Pathetic Man Ever, in this new Sydney production. Having trained as an actor in Toronto, he has thus far stayed behind the scenes at HAT, working as director, writer, or producer for recent productions. Rounding out the cast is Hilary Scott, last seen at the HAT as the Ghost of Christmas Past in A Christmas Carol. Pat Wallace, the Funniest Man Alive, is played by HAT newcomer Nicholas Porteous. The play is directed by Kristen Gregor, who recently directed The Leiutenant of Inishmore to great success. [READ A REVIEW HERE]
The play will continue a HAT tradition of featuring a different local band or solo musician after every performance. Musicians for this production include Carmen Townsend, Danny MacNeil, Colette Deveaux, The Novemberists, The Jaynes, Redmond MacDougall, and John Gill.
Performances are 19+ and alcohol will be available for purchase. Tickets can be purchased for $15 at the HAT Box Office (open 9-5 weekdays), over the phone at (902) 565-3637, or by visiting highlandartstheatre.com.
