Arts and Culture

‘We all deserve a little bit of laughter’: Festival performer

How The Living Things Festival offers something for everyone.

The Living Things Festival is welcoming guests back for the next few weeks at the Kelowna Community Theatre and Black Box Theatre.

On display for the opening round of shows Friday Jan. 14 and Saturday, Jan. 15, are the shows ‘Something’s Rotten’, described as a comedic retelling of Hamlet; and ‘The Living Things Cabaret,’ which features a variety of different performers ranging from musicians, to circus acts, and magic.

Two members from the cabaret put on a demonstration for Kelowna10 which included close-up magic from Jay Flair, turning three pieces of rope into one with the power of misdirection.

Flair said cabaret offers something for everyone.

“They’re special because they offer variety. You pay your ticket, and you’re able to watch a performance artist of musicians and all kind of disciplines, so it’s like a buffet,” she said.

Flair added having performances that are lighthearted in dark times is important.

“Right now, the times are awful, and I think right now we all deserve a little bit of laughter,” she said. “I think shows like this are priceless because it’s able to bring the audience into a different space whether their reality is tough or not.”

Matthew ‘Poki’ McCorkle performed a balancing act involving a sword edge side up inside his mouth, balancing three wine glasses.

He hopes people get excited about seeing the show in-person.

“Everyone will take something that’s right for them during the show, but I know there’s a certain magic in theatre that I want people to leave with.”

The lineup features some political pieces including an outdoor project about whether capitalism works. That comes on Jan. 26.

Neil Cadger, Artistic Director for The Living Things Festival, said while humor and political theatre go together, the festival is about being together.

“We’re not trying to change anybody’s mind, it’s just a place to reflect on certain things that humans do,” he said. “There’s a balance between the frivolous and the seriousness. But it’s all engaging but it’s really about pleasure.”

This will mark the first time the festival has been live since 2020 because of the pandemic. Cadger said being in-person for shows is critical for a theatrical experience.

“It’s really important to have the opportunity to come and be with other people and share reflections on something,” he said. “The collective imagination is what brings all these things to life. The audience is essential, without the audience none of this work is possible.”

A full list of performances can be found online.

The shows run from Jan. 14 – Jan. 30.

Published 2022-01-14 by Connor Chan

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