Riding "The Number 14" at Manitoba Theatre for Young People

Combining classical Commedia dell'arte mask work with modern sketch comedy, throw in some mime, clown, music and drive!

—Marjorie Malpass, actor

You've taken a bus right? Unless you are so rich that you've had a car and driver since birth or are home-schooled by radical environmentalists who eschew all but walking and bicycles, you have been on a bus.

So have I, which is why it's so easy to be in this play at Manitoba Theatre for Young People. The Number 14 is about a bus and everyone who takes it. Six actors playing over forty characters, it gets very sweaty backstage. We work hard to entertain you. Combining classical Commedia dell'arte mask work with modern sketch comedy, throw in some mime, clown, music and drive!

Theatre for young audiences is a special treat. Kids are bussed in from all around Winnipeg, every demographic and area is represented in one room. The public shows have multi-generations of parents, grandparents and kids. And they all share a laugh.

I'm in theatre because I believe live stories transform and enlighten us. I'm in comedy because the genus level intellect that my parents have skips a generation. Axis Theatre is celebrating 20 years of The Number 14, which makes being part of MTYP's 30th year so much sweeter. This is our third trip here. The whole family laughs, if you don't like the show, I will give you your money back. (But you won't recognize me -- I mostly wear masks in the show.)

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Marjorie Malpass is an actor, writer and comic. She is a member of Axis Theatre Company, an award-winning physical theatre company in Vancouver. Axis Theatre's production of The Number 14 runs at MTYP until April 1.

This content is provided by Marjorie Malpass. The views expressed do not express the views of CBC. CBC is not responsible for this content.