Article content
An Edmonton nurse who started performing standup comedy in 2019 is now set to be part of Laughter From the Frontlines, a virtual comedy show featuring Canadian health-care workers from across the country presented by The Unknown Comedy Club.
Article content
“It’s really interesting because standup is usually a very live and in-person event at an intimate venue and to see it translate to an online audience because of the pandemic to bring people together was interesting to see,” said Siobhan Theobald.
This is the second Laughter From the Frontlines show that The Unknown Comedy Club has put on after the first one was held in July. Theobald said she is and isn’t surprised that there are other health-care workers who are also comedians.
“Health-care workers are some of the funniest people you will ever meet, with incredible senses of humour,” said Theobald.
The show is set fornext Friday and while Theobald admits she hasn’t done a virtual show, she has watched a couple of them.
Article content
“My strategy will be to go with what I know. Focus on what I’ve done and hope it translates well,” she said.
Being a nurse has helped Theobald with her comedy since she interacts with people and patients daily and she says humour is always involved as she has learned over the years to build trusting connections.
“Working with people from all walks of life and that skill translates beautifully into handling an audience,” said Theobald.
Reflecting on comedy during a pandemic makes for a unique situation.
“With comedy what you’re looking for is relatable content and all of a sudden we’ve gone through this trauma so you can relate to a lot of people but you have to find something unique to say about it,” said Theobald.
The Unknown Comedy Club was started last March by Rodney Ramsey and Daniel Woodrow and is Canada’s premiere, Black-owned, online comedy club.
Theobald said she’s excited to be a part of the show and excited to see what this platform brings as she joins health-care comedians from Halifax, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Vancouver.
“With this online platform you can get all of these people together in one show whereas if you didn’t have that platform it would be difficult to get that niche together,” said Theobald.
Tickets for the show are available at www.unknowncomedyclub.com/tickets/p/frontlineswestcoast
