by RAF KATIGBAK

After wowing audiences two years ago with the runaway indie hit Tripping Through OZ, comedy troupe Mask On! are back with their latest production, IknowyouarebutwhatamI? Continuing their winning combination of twisted, no-holds-barred comedy and mask theatre, their latest show sees the six-member troupe moving away from the more innocent commedia del arte style to face the challenges of a more controversial subject matter, namely self image.

"There's such a growing sense of isolation and insecurity in our society, it's becoming more and more narcissistic," explains Anana Rydvald, one of the founding members. "There's also this lack of sensitivity and constant pressure to be perfect and we wanted to address that."

But instead of resorting to moralistic finger wagging or after-school special-isms, Mask On! deal with the issue in the best way they know how, by having you laugh your ass off. "It's a risky thing to do because we're a comedy troupe, yet we're touching on subjects like bulimia and obesity, which are really sensitive issues," explains Rydvald. "But I think it can be healthy for people to laugh at serious subjects, it gives a huge stress release."

In Iknowyouare… Mask On! delivers another glorious high-energy romp through the human psyche, weaving through the lives of six masked characters. Watching the controlled chaos unfold, there's no denying the troupe's chemistry, something Rydvald attributes to the cast's tight relationship off stage. "We're such good friends to start off with - we've got the same kind of dark humour. Not a lot of girls have that. We can be grotesque with each other and we can go really far, to the point where it would be shocking for others."

Indeed, the troupe's core members (which include Holly O'Brien, Kathy Daehler and Amy Sobol) spend so much time together outside the theatre that it's only natural that their shared twisted comedic sense and raunchy buffoonery find its way on stage. "It's such a melting pot," beams Rydvald. "It's not just one person writing the script, it's everyone drawing on their talents, stories and life experiences. There's a little bit of everything. There are some scenes that are more innocent and sweet that our grandmothers could appreciate more, and there are some scenes that are like, whoa, I'm not sure I'd want my grandma to see that."

For this production the four female core members welcomed two male actors (Marc James Beauchamp and Neil Napier) to the cast. To Rydvald that just made sense: "Body image is becoming a problem just as much for men as it is for women, so we wanted to bring in some male energy, and we couldn't be happier with the results."

Also new to the Mask On! crew is the introduction of a director in the form of David Uloth. With several independent films already to his credit, this is Uloth's first attempt at theatre, a role that Rydvald says came naturally. "Mask theatre is not naturalistic theatre, it has a more poetic feel, and he's got that sensitivity. It's been really great to have an outside eye. It can get chaotic and he just brings it all together."

Admitting that she's both "totally psyched" and "a little stressed" about their return to the stage, Rydvald can hardly contain her excitement. "It feels great, we've had such a long pause and now we're just ready to rock."

IknowyouarebutwhatamI?, May 30-June 8, 9pm at Bain St-Michel (5300 St-Dominique), $10–$15, 987-1774 ext. 03 to reserve

>> Stage Listings