confessions of an operatic mute
ABOUT THE SHOW
Canadian Comedy Award recipient, Briane Nasimok, remounts his critically acclaimed show inspired by his first career – as a non-singing performer with the Canadian Opera Company. Over a seven-year period Briane appeared in roles ranging from a "Nubian Slave" to an “Elegant Gentlemen”, logging 287 performances without singing a note.
Sharing his successes and failures, both on stage and in romance, this comical one hour show, charts his course from the audience of the O’Keefe Centre in Toronto, when he was 8, to his adventures on tour visiting ten provinces and 38 states.
After his retirement from opera Briane went on to a career as a stand-up comic in the Yuk Yuks circuit, appearing with Howie Mandel and Jim Carrey and on A&E’s “Evening at the Improv”.
“Confessions” which previewed at the SouloTheatre Festivals in Toronto May 2013 and in Totnes, England July 2014, was reimagined and directed for the Toronto Fringe Festival by Dora Award-winning director Peter Moss.
CREATIVE TEAM
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Created & Performed by Briane Nasimok
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Originally Directed by Peter Moss
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Produced, Reconceived & Remounted by Lesley Ballantyne
PRESS
“One of the Top Ten Fringe Shows Not to Miss!”
- CBC Canada Writes
1 of "10 Must-See Shows at the Halifax Fringe"
- The Coast
“He had the audience eating out of his hand. The script is well-written as benefits a seasoned Gemini-nominated writer. He's a charming man with charming stories and listening to Nasimok is a delightful way to spend an evening"
- Rosie Fernandez - CBC Manitoba
"A laugh-a-minute riot with poignant undertones. A not-to-be-missed comedy, with a warm heart"
- Nina Scott - Victoria Fringe
"NNNN" - NOW Magazine
"His borscht-belt comedy style is clearly authentically received and lends a satisfying punch to throwaway jokes and gags. This show is solidly built and nicely delivered"
- Mooney on Theatre
"His absolutely deadpan delivery only makes his stories funnier"
- Christopher Hoile - Stage Door -
"This is a hilarious one-man show"
- Leslie Barcza - Barcza Blog
"Briane is a natural and powerful storyteller"
- Robert Stephen - Windsor Square
"This is comedy at its best! Gentle, self-deprecating humour, free from vulgar language, which holds your attention from start to finish, and leaves your face aching from the grin plastered on it."
- Sheila Martindale - Monday Magazine
"This performance is not one to miss"
- Otaku No Culture -
"Briane (as a person and a character) endears through this underdog narrative before winningly concluding with a transformation into the lead role."
- Jason Booker - The Charlebois Post
HISTORY
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2015 - Born as part of a SouloTheatre Workshop (12 minutes)
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2015 - 30 minute version performed at the Totnes, England Theatre Festival
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2016 - Full 55 minute show performed at Toronto and Winnipeg Fringes
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2017 - Atlantic Fringe Festival
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2018 - Victoria Fringe Festival
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2019 - Hamilton Fringe Festival