Modified On December 8, 2004
Since April 1, 1999, the day we launched our magazine, we’ve always had a tremendous number of readers from Canada or residing in Canada. (And, although Bonnie McFarlane hails from Alberta, she has never really dwelt on the Canadian comedy experience– so we haven’t had a columnist who speaks directly to our readers about what it might be like to be a comedian from up north. Until now. Peter Anthony (website) currently resides in Toronto and, in this, his first installment of “North of the Border,” he delivers a wake up call to “Canuck comics.”
Outside of the Yuk Yuks, there are 10 independent clubs, several agencies for corporate and college work, and whatever the ambitious comedian can book for him or herself. Most Canadian bookers, unfortunately, can’t see the benefit in sharing talent, in giving comedians the autonomy they inherently crave. The result of this forced loyalty is damaging to comics. Having only one option creates precipitous dips in work.
Read the rest here.