Sketch Fest 2008, Day 3

Just caught Day 3 of the Montreal Sketch Festival. Uncalled For began the show with a really good set. I think their Fringe show will be even better than last year’s. Their opening cop scene, the explosion monologue, and Anders’ and Matt’s French showdown were the highlights for me.

Best Friends’ Club, featuring Marc and TSC’s Brent, Etan and Dan B. came next with a shorter but great set too. The rawness and poignancy of Dan’s 2-part father video, the wild array of SCUBA acronyms, and Marc’s final bow were all top notch.

It was a fine night of comedy. I think this night of Sketch was better than any night last year. I wish the night had ended right then, because, honestly, the rest was just filler.

As much as I like the guys behind Sour Cream and Chives and liked their ideas, they were unrehearsed, and as much as I respect the stand-up of the later guys, this isn’t a stand-up, video or song revue.

It’s nice that the festival is basically open to all comers, but I hope that next year will see fewer people just trying shit out. Acts need to respect the festival and prepare accordingly, or the festival needs to start laying down the law. I feel like a sourpuss for saying this, because the festival much like the theatre has such a good, open vibe to it, but the commitment and preparation of the first two groups should be standard, not exemplary.

That said, I recommend the festival to all. There is something for everyone, and the out-of-towners coming in are sure to be good.

Slavin Away Video

Local improviser, filmmaker, friend and rainy-weather conspirator, Dan Beirne, has created a music video for the song Slavin Away by Fiery Furnaces. The actors are puppets and the video is all of these things: touching, funny, sad, sexy, and pretty damn cool. TSC improvisers Etan, Brent & Jenna participated. Marc helped too, I’m guessing, as bodyguard.

Watch and read about the video at Said the Gramophone.