When comedian Brent Butt takes to the stage in Victoria and Nanaimo, he’ll bring his signature Bob Newhart-like humour – understated, witty and conversational. Or, as he deadpans, “just a bald guy talking.” Speaking to Monday Magazine from his Vancouver home, Butt explained that after nearly four decades in stand-up, he still thrives on keeping his shows organic and unpredictable, guided by the audience in the moment. “I need to connect with the crowd. I need to learn what they like, what they don’t like, what they’re into, in real time. And it makes (the show) very organic and it keeps me very present.” Butt will perform in Nanaimo on Sept. 19 at the Port Theatre and in Victoria on Sept. 20 at the McPherson Playhouse, part of a string of Canadian shows this fall. Unlike comics who strictly map out their sets, Butt prefers a conversational approach. He carries a “tickle trunk” of material gathered over the years, drawing from it in the moment depending on the audience. While he usually knows how he’ll open a show, from there the evening unfolds organically. When it comes to writing new material, Butt follows a three-step process: brainstorm, polish and road-test. He jots down funny ideas or phrases, then works them into something structured at his desk. Next comes the critical stage – sneaking into a comedy club to deliver the material in front of a crowd. “I always say you can only be so funny at the kitchen table at two in the afternoon. Once you get up under the spotlight with a microphone, something clicks … That’s where the magic is.” That willingness to experiment live has kept his stand-up sharp, even as his career has expanded far beyond the stage. Many fans know him best as the creator and star of Corner Gas, one of the most successful Canadian sitcoms ever produced. But these days, Butt is also focused on writing – and not just comedy. He’s currently at work on his second novel, another dark psychological thriller following the release of his debut, Huge, in 2023. He’s also developing a new television pilot, a project he says excites him more than anything he’s written in years. “Sometimes it’s a book, sometimes it’s a script, sometimes it’s stand-up. I just follow the idea that won’t leave my head.” Still, his mission on stage remains simple: to entertain. “You’re going to disengage with any problems you have in your life for an hour, hour and a half, and we’re going to have some laughs. If you leave thinking, ‘that was a good use of my time,’ then I’ve done my job.”
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