We’ve all heard that laughter is the best medicine when you’re ill. It’s certainly good for you when you’re feeling down or out of sorts — especially during these long cold winters.
As part of Winterlude this year, some of Canada’s top comics joined host Patrick McKenna for a night of slapstick hilarity — and it was all for a good cause. Billed as Cracking-Up the Capital for Mental Health, this eighth comedy fest warmed up toes and hearts.
Joining the Gemini award-winning McKenna (aka Harold Green) from The Red Green Show and Traders (Marty Stephens) were the hilarious Derek Edwards; Deborah Digiovanni, Canada’s 2011 female stand-up of the year; the always funny Joey Elias from Montreal; and rising star Trent McLellan from St. John’s. McKenna was the perfect comedian to host this event in support of The Royal and the amazing work it does in mental health in our community. He’s hilariously funny, as we all know — and he can speak to the issue of mental health. That’s because McKenna has adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, which he highlights in his ground-breaking documentary ADD and Loving It?!
After skating on the canal and feasting on beavertails, about 2100 people headed over to the National Arts Centre for the comedy fest on February 18.