Anosh Irani's Buffoon swings between laughter and longing at the Arts Club, to December 6

Irani has a long history with the Vancouver theatre

Kayvon Khoshkam (pictured) shares the role of Felix in Anosh Irani’s one-man play Buffoon. — Kayvon Khoshkam (pictured) shares the role of Felix in Anosh Irani’s one-man play *Buffoon*.

Buffoon is at the Arts Club until December 6.

VANCOUVER PLAYWRIGHT Anosh Irani’s grand aunt used to paint portraits of clowns, and one of them in particular has always stuck in his mind. Irani drew on that image to create Felix, a clown who finds love at the circus, for his new one-man play, Buffoon, now playing at the Arts Club.

It’s a story of longing and loss that’s full of laughs, with actors Kayvon Khoshkam and Andrew McNee playing the character on different dates.

Irani and the Arts Club go way back: the prolific writer’s first play, The Matka King, premiered at theatre in 2003. He’s since gone to write numerous other works, including Bombay Black, and has published four critically acclaimed novels. Irani is also visiting professor and writer-in-residence in the World Literature Program at Simon Fraser University.

The Arts Club offering a few different ways to see 90-minute Buffoon: Live in person, with limited, physically distanced seating; via livestream on October 28 at 4:30 and 8 pm (when you can comment in real time with fellow audience members); or via a recorded stream from October 29 to December 6.

Tuesday Talkback happens on November 10 at 4:30 and 8 pm, giving audiences the chance to chat with the artistic team, including director Lois Anderson.

For tickets, more info, and the Arts Club’s COVID-19 procedures, see here.

Featured

Gail Johnson

Gail Johnson is cofounder and associate editor of Stir. She is a Vancouver-based journalist who has earned local and national nominations and awards for her work. She is a certified Gladue Report writer via Indigenous Perspectives Society in partnership with Royal Roads University and is a member of a judging panel for top Vancouver restaurants.

Articles

Pi Theatre presents the world premiere of A Taste of Hong Kong, March 6 to 15

Brought to the stage in association with Vancouver Asian Canadian Theatre, production stars Derek Chan in a tasting class and history lesson

Theatre review: Lasa Ng Imperyo (A Taste of Empire) delivers biting critique of the role of imperialism on the food we eat

The show by rice & beans theatre presented by PuSh Festival and Boca del Lupo moves swiftly with sharp satire

Grandma. Gangsta. Guerrilla. depicts a "sassy old lady" with a sense of humour

Abi Padilla’s new play draws inspiration from both of her grandmothers

Gateway Theatre presents Little Onion Puppet Company's Otosan, February 17 to 22

Heartwarming family adventure is told through puppetry, real wildlife projections, and an original score

A Doll’s House, Part 2 returns to Vancouver in Pacific Theatre presentation, February 5 to 23

Western Gold Theatre production explores the aftermath of Henrik Ibsen’s 1879 play A Doll’s House

At PuSh Festival, Dimanche delves into the surreal way people live amid climate change

Belgium’s Chaliwaté and Focus Company joined forces to create the fantastical nonverbal production

Puppeteer Ronnie Burkett’s Wonderful Joe asks us to suspend disbelief

The master storyteller’s latest play opens with Joe and his dog facing ejection from their longtime home, with seemingly nowhere to go

Advance Theatre Festival is back at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts until January 31

Ruby Slippers Theatre presents five staged readings of works by IPBOC playwrights, including Damion LeClair’s Rougarou, Carmen Aguirre’s The Consent Club, and more