In conversation with Canada's clever & comedic Colin Mochrie
Canada’s clever and comedic Colin Mochrie has made a career out of making audiences laugh for decades. Partnering with Brad Sherwood, their longstanding “Colin and Brad - Scared Scriptless” performance comes to Mississauga’s Living Arts Centre and goes into 2023.
Here’s our interview with him.
1. What a hilarious name for the show! How did it originate?
It sums up the show. Totally without a script and there is a bit of fear involved. Also we wanted a title that would make people speak slower.
2. When did the show originate and are there plans to keep it going in to 2024, after the current tour dates conclude?
We first started touring in 2001 and will continue until the hip replacements.
3. With such a storied history of witty improv, how do you consistently stay on top of your game?
By constantly doing it. Improvising really is a muscle that has to be continually worked on. I also try to work with other improv groups when I can play with people I don’t know well. It makes me go back to the basics and reinforce the rules of improv.
4. For aspiring performers, what advice can you offer?
If there’s anything else you can do, do it. If you need to perform, you can’t live without out it, then do it where ever and whenever you can. Watch people you like and figure out why you do and what you can appropriate.
5. How did you pair with Brad for this show? Was it an idea you both had for a long time, or was it a new idea you both created?
It started during the Drew Carey years. Every New Year Drew would take the cast and some friends to Vegas to do shows. It was fun but because there were so many of us, we didn’t get a lot of stage time. Brad and I are stage hogs and he suggested a two man show. We tried it out and 20 years later, still going.
6. What can fans expect when they see Scared Scriptless?
No idea. Some games familiar to Whose Line fans, some invented for this show and more than a few laughs.
7. After decades of performing, what keeps driving you forward in your career?
Never having worked for a network that paid well is the main reason. And doing this show is fun because it’s never the same twice. The audience that sees this show in Mississauga are seeing a performance that will never be repeated.
8. Give me your absolute worst/best pun.
Did you hear about the guy who fell into the upholstery machine. He’s fully recovered now.
9. Give me your third absolute best/worst pun.
An explosion blew off the whole left side of a man. He’s all right now.
10. If I picked you up in the Modern Mississauga Media private jet, where in the world are we going and why?
Italy. Why not.