Stir Q&A: Kyle Loven takes Me Love BINGO!: Best in Snow to the next, holiday level
In new Arts Club production, the cult drag extravaganza builds on the idea that started in the artist’s living room
Kyle Loven Photo by David Cooper
The Arts Club Theatre presents Me Love BINGO!: Best in Snow at the Newmont Stage at the BMO Theatre Centre, December 1 to January 1
“DRAG BINGO EXTRAVAGANZA” only begins to describe Kyle Loven’s Me Love BINGO! phenomenon, in which the theatre artist entertainingly mixes game show, variety show, storytelling, music, and campy comedy.
Minneapolis-born Loven’s idea grew out of his own Seattle apartment in 2014; since those impromptu bingo nights, he’s gone on to perform it everywhere from a bike-repair bar in Portland to a converted church in Kelowna. Now, for Me Love BINGO! Best in Snow, the now Vancouver-based artist is pulling out all the stops on the Arts Club stage for the first time, joined by guest “assistants” Leslie Dos Remedios, Jenna Klein, and Joey Lespérance for this grand festive edition of the cult-favourite show.
And yes, audience members will actually play Bingo amid the theatrics—and possibly win wacky prizes. An entire design team is on hand to boost Loven’s festive vision (with sets by Ted Roberts, costumes by Donnie Tejani, lights by Harika Xu, and sound by Mary Jane Coomber).
Stir caught up with Loven to talk about the Me Love BINGO! phenomenon, his holiday outfit, and the communal magic of the simple game.
I know you were a game-show fan growing up. What was your favourite classic?
Hands down, my favourite game show growing up was watching reruns of Match Game. The queer humour of celebrity panelist Charles Nelson Reilly, the simplicity of the game, all the double-entendres. So good!
What is the special magic that happens around bingo that has helped make this show such a hit?
There is a lot of layered storytelling happening within the show that I think helps the experience deliver for different types of audience members. From the seasoned theatregoer to the person just looking to have a fun night out with friends, Me Love BINGO! creates a really accessible space for audience members to come as they are. If you're looking for narrative, it's there. If you're looking for camp and pop-culture, it's there too. That combination makes for a pretty big journey that most don't expect from an event where the audience is actually playing Bingo.
What did that first Me Love Bingo look like in your Seattle apartment, and how many people came?
The first time I hosted Bingo in my Seattle living room, it didn't even have the name Me Love BINGO! yet. Just a humble little Bingo cage and five or so friends sitting on my living room floor (not even a couch to sit on!).
Did you go to town on the holiday thematic touches for Best in Snow?
The incredible design and creative teams have definitely gone all out with the festive touches! This Best in Snow theme uses the vocabulary of the holiday season, to tell a very personal, heartfelt story. So we use all of that iconic festive imagery and sounds but put a twist on the meanings of those things. It's queer, it's fun, and gives all those warm holiday fuzzies.
Have you got your fabulous festive outfit nailed down for opening yet?
There is more than one fabulous outfit at the ready! The show has a series of crossroads built into it where depending on what Bingo ball is called, one of two personal stories or costumes or performance numbers or prize giveaways will occur. While it doesn't shift the larger story we're telling, it does make for an environment where no two shows will likely be the same!
Photo by David Cooper
Related Articles
