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Zoofest keeps it young, fresh and weird

HEAVEN-READY: Kim Noble UPRIGHT CITIZEN: Natasha Leggero

After a successful run at last year’s Just for Laughs, with comedians like Simon Amstell, Mark Watson and Aziz Ansari (who this year graduates to the main stage) making a name for the offshoot, Zoofest is back and continues to bring younger, edgier—some would even say funnier—acts to the fest.

Bigger names this year include British comedian Noel Fielding (see story, p.42), best known for his portrayl of Vince Noir on cult BBC hit The Mighty Boosh, and Donald Glover from NBC’s Community (see story, also p.42).

Where last year ’s line-up diverged into music, theatre and dance, this year’s schedule turns its attention towards emerging francophone talent, including Le Girly Show, in which four 30- something women revel in their ineptitude, July 15, 22 and 23 at Studio Juste Pour Rire (2109 St- Laurent), 9 p.m., $17.75. Catch a glimpse of the Québécois comedy stars of tomorrow (maybe) at École Nationale de l’Humour, featuring the school’s most recent graduates, July 20–21 and 24, 7 p.m. at Club Soda (1225 St-Laurent), $17.75. Fringe favourite and recent Mirror cover stars Dance Animal break down language barriers with their bilingual moves, July 15–17 and 22–24, midnight at Studio Juste Pour Rire, $15.

DEAD FUNNY

Depressed that his contemporaries have become more successful and popular than he, Kim Noble has decided he no longer wants to live. In his multimedia performance Kim Noble Will Die—he explains how his end will come, invites the audience to sign his last will and testament, and will have samples of his sperm on hand to donate to willing female audience members. July 13–17 and 20–24 at Théâtre La Chapelle (3700 St- Dominique), $15.

American comedian, and HuffPo and McSweeney’s contributor, Jamie Kilstein brings his politically-tinge stand-up to the stage with the sensibly titled No War, No God, No Nickelback, in which he defends gay rights, criticizes the war and hopefully has a solution to rid the airwaves of Canada’s “alternative” rock heavyweights. July 14–15 and 17 at 11:30 p.m. at Théâtre Ste- Catherine (264 Ste-Catherine E.), $15. Bill Burr, meanwhile, struggles with the challenge of not becoming a complete piece of shit in You People Are All the Same, July 13–16, 8:30 p.m. at Théâtre Ste- Catherine, $15.

CITIZENS UNITE

C o m e d y troupe Upright C i t i z e n s B r i g a d e returns this year with a handful of comedians with a grab bag of talents. Reggie Watts uses his soulful voice to sing songs about love, sandwiches and anything else that springs to mind with his stream-of-consciousness compositions. He’s at Théâtre Ste- Catherine on July 14 and 16 with UCB regular Zoe Jarman. And former theatre-criticism major turned stand-up Natasha Leggero takes the same stage July 16–17, 10 p.m., $15. Twenty-year-old Bo Burnham returns to Montreal with his unique brand of musical comedy with Words, Words, Words, at Théâtre Ste-Catherine, July 12–15 and 17, 7 p.m., $15.

Along with keeping things fresh the fest also keeps it affordable, with deals on multiple ticket purchases. The ZooPass ($29.99), allows you to see as many shows as you can fit into your day, and there’s a 50 per cent discount for large groups.

FOR MORE INFO,
GO TO ZOOFEST.COM