Let’s get sketchy – Montreal Sketchfest brings together 60+ sketch troupes for its annual comedy blowout

60+ sketch troupes from across North America are once again gearing up to descend upon the city for the annual Montreal Sketchfest, a 10-day celebration of the wildest and wackiest of live comedy forms.

In addition to a strong collection of local troupes, including fan favourites HOT RAW FIRE, the fest also features a number of troupes from Toronto, including locals who we’ve lost to the allure of the 401 (the great Kirsten Rassmussen), Mark & Andy & Dave (featuring Mark Little and Andy Bush from Picnicface), Philadelphia’s The Incredible Shrinking Matt & Jacquie, and dozens more.

The festival also incorporates events from Montreal’s established sketch shows The Sketch Republic and Ladyfest, Art Machine, and The Brunch Club’s Rat Nest (a takeoff on CBC’s The Dragon’s Den, natch).

Below are a few highlights for this year’s edition, which runs from May 3 – 12. Tickets are $12 per show or $20 for a day pass. For the complete schedule and tickets, visit the festival’s official site.

Rapp Battlez 
Saturday May 5th, 11PM
Theatre Sainte-Catherine (264 Ste-Catherine est)

A roster of sketch comedians bless the mic as they battle for comedic hip hop supremacy in this mash-up of verbal dexterity and live comedy. Hosted by Toronto’s Freddie & Miguel Rivas.

Ladyfest
Thursday May 10 – 8PM
Theatre Sainte-Catherine (264 Ste-Catherine est)

Montreal’s annual Ladyfest has been doing a great job celebrating the comedic talents of female performers from Montreal (and beyond), a practice they’ll continue with this Sketchfest showcase featuring local performers Solid Bronze, Non-Binary Diary, L’il Strawberry Bitch, and Toronto’s Fusion.

Kirsten Rasmussen
Friday May 11th, 8PM
Montreal Improv Theatre (3697 St-Laurent Blvd) 

Kirsten Rasmussen may have left Montreal for the greener comedic pastures of Toronto, but don’t hold it against her. The winner of the Just for Laughs award at last year’s Sketchfest, Rasmussen will bring her knack for creating hilarious (and loud) characters in her solo sketch show, Kirsten, Get Some Friends.

Mark & Andy & Dave
Saturday May 12th, 8PM
Theatre Sainte-Catherine (264 Ste-Catherine est) 

Mark Little and Andy Bush from the beloved sketch troupe Picnicface (creators of the classic Powerthirst video) join up with Toronto sketch vet Dave Maclin for a night of likely ridiculous premises put together by three real-life friends. Check out our podcast with Mark Little here. 

Montreal Sketchfest runs from May 3 – 12. For the complete schedule and tickets, visit the festival’s official site.