Canadian comic Mike Delamont admits that ‘God is Scottish Drag Queen’ is a blasphemous title for his one-person comedic stand-up present, however he hopes the messages of the present strike a that means with the viewers.
Delamont performed the title character, God, in entrance of a half-packed on the Prince Rupert Lester Heart on Jan. 19, with follow-up exhibits scheduled for Terrace on Jan. 20, Kitimat on Jan. 21 and Smithers on Jan. 22.
“The title very a lot scares individuals off. However I feel when individuals come … I hope that they discover a deity with plenty of coronary heart and could be very foolish,” he informed The Northern View. The present highlights God’s character as a really human entity with an understanding that he could make errors.
On stage, ‘God’ is wearing a lime inexperienced floral skirt, white shirt and matching jacket. ‘God’ explains that he’s usually requested why he wears a costume however clarifies he wears a Eighties woman’s energy swimsuit, which “is masculinity at its finest.” It’s an attractive chesterfield, he stated, with the shoulder pads being hugs for his neck.
Arriving in Prince Rupert the day earlier than the present, Delamont was fast to select up on Rupert’s traits and had the viewers in stitches, making jokes in regards to the native altering climate, potholes or puddles, yellow consuming water and anti-show letters he obtained from some residents earlier than attending to the town.
Whereas the title could also be off-putting to some individuals it captures the curiosity of others.
“If individuals are upset in regards to the present, it’s as a result of they’ve learn the title and suppose it’s a comedy that belittles religion. It has by no means been someone who has really seen the present. The individuals who take the danger and purchase a ticket understand that on this present, God is the comic, not the punchline,” he’s reported as saying in a 2020 Okanagan Occasions Chronicle article.
Prince Rupert theatregoers had been stored laughing all through the efficiency with interplay and had been inspired to sing ‘500 Miles’ minutes earlier than the comic even took the stage.
Spot-on along with his deep information of biblical references and storytelling in his materials, the comic informed The Northern View he has been “athiest since day one,” however has all the time discovered the historic aspect fascinating. It was 15 years in the past when comedy grew to become his common job.
He began comedy in highschool and moved on to sketch comedy, the place he stated his ‘God’ character got here out from.
“Then, in 2011, I used to be at a bunch of horrible jobs and didn’t like my life. I assumed, properly, I ought to do one thing artistic,” he stated. “I preferred this character probably the most and audiences preferred it probably the most. So I assumed, properly, let’s see if it has legs. I actually didn’t suppose that 12 years later, I’d nonetheless be doing it.”
His spouse grew up in a non secular household and writes the fabric which has a strong theological base however nonetheless makes these comedic cuts.
“We write it to be humorous after which as time went on, we needed so as to add plenty of coronary heart to it. We needed to have a little bit of a message to it. Comedy is the easiest way to get a message to individuals as a result of it’s … a spoonful of sugar.”
Utilizing the ebook of Leviticus for instance within the comedy routine, his message of all or nothing and never ‘cherry-picking’ spiritual factors to make use of for benefit comes throughout clearly. So does the anti-homophobic message, in addition to the message of self-love.
Delamont stated the messages are distinctive to the person.
“It’s so that you can get – if you happen to get one thing out of it … I don’t need individuals to really feel the present punches down at anyone. I need to be supportive. I would like it to be a secure spot for people. I would like it to be an attractive message.”
The comic stated he consistently revises and updates the fabric in his exhibits to maintain them contemporary. God is a Scottish Drag Queen is one in a collection of 4, which he hopes to deliver to Prince Rupert and the North Coast quickly.
Metropolis of Prince RupertComedyComedy and HumourLeisureLester Centre of the Arts
Mike Delamont, star of the one man comedy present God is a Scottish Drag Queen meets with viewers contributors after the Jan. 19 on the Lester Centre in Prince Rupert. (Photograph: Ok-J Millar/The Northern View)