Fat Joke a review by Hayden Clewes

Fat Joke

By Hayden Clewes
The Vancity Culture Lab
1895 Venables Street
April 25, 2024
$35.00 ticket price
https://thecultch.com/event/fat-joke/

The Vancity Culture Lab is in The Historic Theatre. The fun and quirky venue is located just off the lobby opposite side of the bar. It almost felt as if I was walking into the set of an old-fashioned gameshow with monitors placed about the stage. With bold, colourful frames on the monitors, the stage had a fun appearance. As mentioned, the venue is a quirky room that has cocktail tables set for people to enjoy the one-woman show.

I was lucky enough to sit up front on a cozy little loveseat with my date. The stage is accessible, bright and yet maintains the intimacy required for the audience to connect with the performer. The Historic Theatre may have a separate event at the same time so make sure you go to the right venue but of course, you will be assisted by the wonderful staff.

Fat Joke is not just a comedy but a challenging show as well. Though the laughs are plentiful, Cheyenne Rouleau has written a beautiful piece that has the audience experience the difficulties of growing up “fat.” Whether it be personal and romantic relationships, treatment at restaurants and eateries. Also, within social circles and the judgement from society. Though it is tough to hear and can become quite tense, it is a necessary tension that truly puts society in its place and demands accountability for one’s actions. It is by no means a guilt trip but certainly shines a spotlight into the ways of thinking- often, unaware we even have these perceptions.

Though the themes are challenging at times, it is a brilliant comedy. Rouleau has wonderful timing and pacing. She has the ability to keep you compelled about her personal plight and successes which is not always the case with one-person shows. She balances other characters personalities which provides a variety of characters within her own story. It was certainly worthy of the standing ovation that it received.
Rouleau does not hold back any punches on her political views which are strongly leftwing but avoids becoming preachy and keeps it comical and fun.

Visually the show was engaging and colourful. A “pun” counter is used and of course tallies the puns heard throughout the act which I really enjoyed. And it certainly starts to rack up. The other monitors are used to deliver quotes, images and other bits that help the visual process of the show. Though Rouleau is a gifted performer, the extra visuals are a nice touch and keep the pace of the show moving quickly. Everything was on cue as well. Not one sound cue or visual cue was off beat. At times, its snappy and fast-paced so the technicians, Mary Jane Coomber (sound) and Andie Lloyd (lights and projection) have done a terrific job keeping the show slick and polished.

As said before, do not expect a strict comedy show. The themes are tough but truly make you think and reflect on things we may have done or rather, may have not done which can be just as damaging. Some material on the use of the word “fat” was given to me before the show. Certain classifications and information to help understand how the word has been taken as a term of empowerment. It can be used in anyway a person pleases or wishes to identify without the negative connotation and offensive medical terminology.

Fat Joke is a funny, thought-provoking one-woman show that hits several important points and was well received by the audience. It ended with a standing ovation and a swelling appreciation for Rouleau’s boldness and bravery in telling her intimate story. This is a great story for everyone to see. Whether you identify with her story and it helps you to know that you are not alone or someone who needs light to be shed on an important issue that they may not normally go out and experience. I strongly recommend going to see Fat Joke at the Vancity Culture Lab, running until May 5, 2024.

Fat Joke is a Cultch and Neworld Co-Presentation in association with Rumble Theatre.