The show will feature physical feats such as juggling, unicycling, balancing, and Chinese yo-yo manipulation in addition to a sense of slapstick and verbal humour. Cates’ skills will be complemented by black light, video projection, music, and laser effects, creating optical illusions. The show will culminate in a 24-plate spinning finale. Shows liked this have earned Cates awards such as Best Variety Act, Best One Man Show, and National Entertainer of the Year at Canadian comedy and event honours. The Leduc show will be presented free with the hope of attracting a family audience.
In addition to the on-stage spectacle, Cates’ performance will offer interactive comedy, with audience members invented to supply ideas and even become on-stage volunteers. The Comedy in Motion show uses “clean” comedy and is often performed for corporate events or family-friendly settings. Comedy shows like this often use methods such as poster printing and social media clips to help entice potential audience members. The touring show’s promotional material promises a unique experience each time:
“Bob uses a lifetime of experience performing for thousands of different crowds to make your show unique so that it’s talked about for weeks.”
Comedy in Motion will take place on the afternoon of January 19 at the Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts in Leduc.