Graham Clark Reads the Phone Book

CBC:

Company: Laugh Gallery

Genre: Stand-up

Venue:11 Red River College: Roblin Centre

Purchase Tickets

(Reviewed at the Toronto Fringe Festival - July 1-12)

When Graham Clark performed at last year's Toronto Fringe, a reviewer for Now Magazine claimed that Clark "could crack you up just reading the phone book." And this year, he proves it.

Clark walks onstage to the 1982 hit, "867-5309/Jenny" by Tommy Tutone, and says, "Let's get to it." He begins to read through a phone book, musing on the listings and using them as starting points to reflect upon hilarious moments in his own life -- for example, calling 911 in the U.S.

Clark is a comedy pro, having performed at Just for Laughs, and he writes for shows like CBC Radio's The Debaters. He's a natural onstage with a casual and welcoming presence. And he's so, so funny. I did not stop laughing once during the show.

My only criticism? It felt too short. Clocking in at approximately 45 minutes, I don't think anyone in the audience was ready to leave.

• Back to Fringe Reviews