If the excessive use of chequered patterns or the aptly-worn wide-brimmed hats don’t intrigue you, the quick and witty banter of comedy duo Parker and Seville will steal your attention.
Dave Barclay (Parker) and Matt Kowall (Seville) pay homage to vaudeville style comedy, similar to the infamous wit of Abbott and Costello. Reinventing a once-mainstream style of comedy, the animated duo introduce a unique and fresh routine into an endless sea of one-man comedians. The flawless, fast-paced, back-and-forth dialogue is combined with exaggerated hand gestures, tipping of the hat, fixing of the collar, and, if in the mood, a little dance number. The dynamic chemistry between Parker and Seville is captivating. The act consists of 21st-century topical issues such as obese kids or the iPod craze, twisted in an unusual and distinctive perspective reflecting the fundamentals of vaudeville comedy infused with old-time buzzwords like “malarkey” and “flabbergasted.”
As characters, Parker and Seville are notorious anti-communists, hailing from the small towns of North-North Tanawanda, Ontario and Extreme Poverty, Saskatchewan. Both aspiring comedians, they claim to have met by chance at a bar in New Jersey, where they then decided to give up their jobs as orange peelers, and set aside their womanizing ways to pursue the tough industry of comedy. Leaving behind a record number of 47 women impregnated (three of whom are claimed by Seville), and an unknown number of spawned children who are likely rummaging the vast North American plains, Parker and Seville have settled in Toronto, making their presence known across many venues in the GTA.
Barclay and Kowall, graduates from Humber College, first introduced the Parker and Seville act in early 2007 at the Second City Fresh Meat competition. The crowd responded with uproarious laughter, encouraging the pair to evolve and continue the hilarious act. Since then, the duo have successfully begun to solidify their name in the Toronto comedy scene playing gigs at The Laugh Resort, Yuk-Yuk’s, The Rivoli, Bad Dog Theatre, Clinton’s, and many other venues.
To celebrate the progressive perfection of their act, Parker and Seville will be hosting a show called On the Town, It’s A Real Humdinger at the Supermarket on Monday, Feb. 4. Also appearing will be comedy guests Mr. McGudgeon (Tim Gilbert), Marilyn (Anne Vadas), Poppa Proppa, Canada’s Oldest Living Prop Comic (Brian Barlow), and the moustachioed comic Mike Balazo.
The One Year Anniversary show at the Supermarket starts at 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 4. To ensure historical accuracy, admission is only five cents—seriously! For more info check www.parkerandseville.com
