Thunderstick at the Firehall Arts Centre (theatre review)

I am an incredibly lucky guy. Blogging has brought me an incredibly high number of opportunities. And last night I was rewarded with the chance to meet two of the best and funniest Canadian (and First Nations) actors: Lorne Cardinal (better known for his work on the TV show Corner Gas) and Craig Lauzon (also known for his work on Royal Canadian Air Farce).

Thunderstick, currently playing until October 30th at the Firehall Arts Centre, is a fantastic play. I can’t describe it as a comedy or as a drama. It’s complex, it’s delightful, it’s riveting and it makes you laugh so hard one moment and ponder and think the other. It’s Canadian theatre at its best, and I’m so thrilled that the chemistry between Lauzon and Cardinal is so amazing. If you are a journalist or have any interest in understanding the complexities of journalism in an world torn by war, you should see Thunderstick. If you are interested in First Nations issues and the treatment some Aboriginal people had in residential schools, you should see Thunderstick. If you want to see great Canadian theatre, in general, you should see Thunderstick.

Written by Kenneth T. Williams, Thunderstick stars Lorne Cardinal from the hit TV show Corner Gas and Royal Canadian Air Farce regular Craig Lauzon as mismatched cousins who are journalists on the trail of a scandalous political intrigue. This raunchy comedy starts as one cousin throws up on the Prime Minister and gets only more frenzied as the both are launched into jail, heartbreak and a road trip- all while chasing the story of their careers. A Persephone Theatre and Theatre Network Production

While viewer discretion is advised for coarse language, I strongly recommend that you see this play. Wednesday October 27th and today, October 20th, it’s Pay What You Can. You can also buy tickets online.