Sometimes, in order for me to get things done, I need a fire under my ass. As my ass is of goddess-like proportions, it generally needs to be a big fire. But, as I noted in my 5...Things post, I fear fire. So you can see how it might be difficult for me to cultivate a virtuous cycle in the motivation department.
Fortunately, much earlier this year, my old friend Chgi poured kerosene on the smoldering embers of my motivational fire when he called me from Vancouver and proposed that he and I collaborate on a Fringe show! And then drive across Canada! And perform the show together! At four Fringe festivals! I said "Yes." We have written the show (ha ha - mostly). We officially have spots in four Fringe festivals (Toronto, Saskatoon, Edmonton, Vancouver). We are going to be driving this hilarious truck. And we will be blogging the whole thing at www.liesthatbind.com
Chgi and I have been friends since our high school days in Edmonton, Alberta. He is smart. He is funny. He is relaxed, yet responsible. He wore ass-less leather pants in a show for me - twice. Ten years ago, when Chgi and our friend Padu had a discussion about possibly going bald, Padu cried passionately "No way! I'm fighting it with everything I've got! If they have to take HAIR from my ASS, then that's what they will have to do!" Chgi just shrugged and said "I think I'd just wear more hats." And he does.
Hey - how often does someone like that call YOU up from the other side of country and suggest that you spend hours on the phone and e-mail, 13 weeks in person and 4500 kilometres of travel together after not actually seeing each other for about 3 years? Not often enough, I'll bet. So naturally, when Chgi phoned, my initial reaction was "Well, SURE!", which was quickly followed by "Oh, wait, ha ha . . . let me just check with my girlfriend."
Sweet Katr is incredibly and endlessly supportive of my creative endeavours. But something (call it "female intuition") told me that she'd like to be consulted before some guy she doesn't know comes to stay at our house for a month, then takes off with me across the country for 8 weeks in a Mazda. I must have caught her in a moment of weakness - or possibly a moment of great strength - or possibly while sleeping - because she agreed. And the Fringe tour was on!
So the show is called 87% True: The Lies that Bind. "Comedy, story-telling, riveting Canadian agricultural history and sex . . . with bears" collide in it. Chris and I are playing twins, which is awesome, because together, we look like Laurel and Hardy (hint: I'm the fat one). The bear in this photo? His head is actually in the show. Like, the actual head of Chgi's grandfather's pet bear is in the show. Also, I'll be wearing a dress and swearing. Theatre at its finest, people.
So hey - if you're in Toronto, Saskatoon, Edmonton or Vancouver this summer, come on out and see us! Our show times and venues and other exciting news and tidbits (including a running Slurpee count) will be posted and updated over at www.liesthatbind.com - and if you aren't anywhere near any of those places, you can still live the un-airconditioned truck-aventure with us! 'Cause we know you're jealous.
