MTL Sketchfest with SELF CARE CLOWN (MTL), POTATO POTATO (TO), and SMALL FRIEND TALL FRIEND (TO)

SELF CARE CLOWN (Montreal)

Self Care Clown ???? is a sketch that took 14 years to live and grow first before writing. 14 years in the making: A clown experiences heartbreak at the beginning of young adulthood and must go back to heal their past selves through clown dance and stand up jokes and list of sketch jokes and storytelling comedy. This is Self Care Clown or Schlepping The Clown! ???? Comedian and Storyteller Aloe Azimov helps out.

POTATO POTATO (Toronto)

Your favourite tater tots are back to weaponize their theatre degrees with another song-filled sketch revue about politics, climate change, and the hilariously apocalyptic state of the world. In a world obsessed with the US, Potato Potato is here to throw light (and shade) on the Canadian side of the story. Part political satire, part sketch show, and with a generous dose of dread- prepare for recycled props, catchy musical parodies, and surprise visits from your (least) favourite politicians.

SMALL TALL FRIEND TALL FRIEND (Toronto)

Small Friend Tall Friend is a dynamic sketch-comedy group founded by Becky Ablack and Zoe Marín. Known for their sharp wit and playful absurdity, the troupe has been making waves in the Toronto comedy scene. Most recently, they performed their sketch revue Queen Out of Service at the 20th Annual Toronto SketchFest, alongside troupe members David Civcic and Stephanie Perri. In July 2023, they brought their hit show Do You Think You’re Better Than Me? to the Toronto Fringe Festival and Hamilton Fringe Festival, receiving glowing reviews from Intermission Magazine, Parton and Pearl, So Sumi, and more. The show’s success was further cemented when it was named Critics’ Pick at the Hamilton Fringe Festival 2023. Following this momentum, Small Friend Tall Friend returned to Hamilton in October for The Staircase’s Take Two Festival, a showcase of the best comedy performances from the Hamilton Fringe. They have gone on to perform at festivals, including The Theatre Centre’s Comedy Is Art Festival in 2024.

Beyond festivals, the group regularly performs sketch and musical comedy throughout Toronto, bringing their unique comedic voice to various stages. Their humour is rooted in pop culture, identity politics, and the awkward realities of being in their early 20s. They draw inspiration from boundary-pushing artists such as Tim Robinson (I Think You Should Leave), Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle (PEN15), Ziwe, Garfunkel and Oates, Bo Burnham, and Julio Torres.