Q&A: "Tales Of..."

Erin Rodgers

On Monday November 12, Erin Rodgers and Brian Finch will kick off their new showcase “Tales Of…”, a monthly event featuring a selection of Toronto’s most engaging storytellers. The subject for opening night is “The First Time,” and will include performances by The Kids In The Hall’s Paul Bellini, Video on Trial’s Sara Hennessey, Sage Turtle, Marilla Wex, and Marco Bernardi. Here, we chat with the hosts about this fun initiative.

Theatromania: What inspired you to create this monthly storytelling event?

BF: I was really inspired by Erin. She has such a “can do it” sense about things which I love. In storytelling, and stand-up  as well, I’m relatively new. I’ve done a lot of public speaking in my past, but never in an official storytelling way. Once I checked it out I really liked it. For several years I have been thinking about writing a one-man show an thought this would be a great way of starting with smaller stories. As I got to know more of the performing community, the more I thought it would be fun to start a show. I’m selfish, because running something like this means I get to listen to great storytellers. It is also a format that is much more accessible to not only performers but the public as it’s not about doing stand-up. You don’t have to be a comic to be a great storyteller.

ER: I’ve run a monthly storytelling show called “Awkward” the second Friday of every month at Comedy Bar for about a year. I’m just completely in love with the scene and all the amazing storytellers in this city and this country. Brian and I are really good friends and I’m so excited to create a show with someone whom I love and respect so much.

Theatromania: How does this type of storytelling differ from stand-up comedy?

BF: Storytelling I think is more vulnerable yet more accessible to performers. It’s is about the story and not the laughs. You don’t have to be a comic to be a great storyteller. Of course you want people to laugh, but there can also be silence, or a touching moment. As a performer it allows me to connect with the audience in a different way. I’m painting a picture of an event, and within the story there are funny moments. Stand-up is like it’s party time and we’ve got to make everyone laugh.

ER: There’s less pressure to go after the laugh. You can take your time, fill out details and not be as afraid to be vulnerable. I’ve heard stories that have me laughing one moment and then crying the next. I love stand-up, but there’s a different feeling in storytelling. A kind of magic that there is in nothing else.

Theatromania: Can you give us an idea of the types of themes you hope to cover in the coming months?

BF: Our first show is all about “firsts” and I know we’ll be doing “Tales of Festivus” for the holidays. We’ve bantered various ideas around such as mom stories, worst day at work, dates gone wrong, travel, parents, getting older etc. We’re also going to have some shows from time to time where  we leave it wide open for the performers.

Theatromania: Will the show feature a regular lineup of performers or will the roster change from month to month?

BF: The line up will be different each month. There are a lot of amazing storytellers out there and we are looking forward to having them in the up coming months.

Theatromania: Who are some of your favourite storytellers?

BF: Our first line up has some of my favourites, Paul Bellini, Sage Tyrtle, Marilla Wex, and Marco Bernardi.  This is to only name a few. I’m so new to the scene that I’m constantly discovering great new storytellers.

ER: Oh man, that’s tough. I’ve been blessed enough to see so many amazing performers over the past few years. Our line-up this month is definitely full of heavy hitters.  I also love Catherine McCormick and Arianne Shaffer. Any time they tell a story I’m completely riveted. There’s a really great stand-up and storyteller from Montreal named Jess Saloman that I can’t wait to have on the show. She was a War Crimes Prosecutor at the Hague (no, really) and tells amazing stories.

Check out “Tales Of…” on Monday November 12 at The Rustic Owl (993 Bloor St. W at Dovercourt) at 8pm. Tickets $10 at the door.