Mama’s Boy
La Cité Francophone (8627 91 street) August 13, 15 – 22
More information: mikedelamont.com
Mike Delamont in Mama’s Boy. Photo credit Jenna & Tristan Photography
An interview with Mike Delamont.
Describe your show in five words
A sweet story about family
Okay, now that we’re intrigued… what’s the longer description?
Mama’s Boy is the true story of a boy growing up with a single mother battling an addiction to alcohol. It’s a story about Addiction, Pain, Laugher, Music and Love
Mama’s Boy is very different from the other shows you’ve brought to fringe, what made you decide to create this autobiographical show?
It’s a story that I have wanted to tell for a long time but was too afraid to write. I knew that there were parts that would upset some people and so it was trying to figure out the best way to share those moments and still be honest. The show is a blend of songs and story telling that I think gives the show a nice blend of comedy and drama
Mama’s Boy tackles addiction and loss, but you say it’s also funny. What are some of the points of humour did you find in the story?
I make my living as a comedian and so I found it impossible to not to find the funny in some of these stories. Some true and awkward tales of my childhood and teen years are hard to tell without a punchline. I wanted the audience to never know if a story was going to be a happy one or a sadder one. I think it makes the experience a little more interesting and hopefully creates a great hour of theatre as well.
For audiences that don’t have a theatre background, can you talk a bit about how prepping for a comedy where you play a character (God, none-the-less, in God is a Scottish Drag Queen III) is different from prepping for an autobiographical solo show? What’s it like to perform the two during the same festival?
I have directed each of the shows in the God Is A Scottish Drag Queen trilogy, and it’s easy for me because I can tell when the audience finds a bit funny or doesn’t. Comedy is really a pass/fail so I have always found it easy to figure out what works and what doesn’t. With Mama’s Boy I wanted to be really careful. Because it’s my story I am very close to the show, so I made sure to bring in a director to work with me. [Ross Desprez] made fantastic suggestions and helped me a great deal to make sure this was the show I wanted and that it wasn’t heavy handed or self-indulgent. I’m very excited to get the chance to have a festival where I play both ends of the comedy/drama spectrum, sometimes in the same day.
Anything else you want audiences to know about the show?
I love this show. I think I am prouder of this than anything else I’ve done before. For audiences that only know me from the GOD shows, I hope they will give this new show a chance as well. It’s an intimate show and it’s a funny and sad true story that I would love for people to hear.
Bonus question: Any names you want to drop who have been involved in your show (Edmonton arts people or otherwise)?
Ross Desprez directed the show. He is a delightful and talented man.
The 34th Edmonton International Fringe Theatre Festival is August 13 – 23. Get your tickets at tickets.fringetheatre.ca.