It is often said there’s no better medicine than the healing power of laughter. The stars of Montreal Improv certainly agree. Tonight, they take the stage at Ernie Butler’s Comedy Nest for their final Improv Tuesday of 2009, with all proceeds benefitting Child’s Play – a charity that brings toys to hospitalized children. To help them reconnect with their inner child (an easy task, to be sure), Rover contacted performers Marc Rowland and François Vincent and threw a few questions their way…

Name the top three reasons why your show will be better than a rerun of Mickey’s Christmas Carol (also tonight at 8pm on CBC).

Marc: Tonight will be awesome because: (1) it will have incredible improvisors from all of Montreal’s improv institutions – Montreal Improv, On The Spot, Theatre Ste-Catherine, Uncalled For, and Without Annette; (2) you get to get out of the house and enjoy a drink or two in the famous Comedy Nest; (3) it’s for a good cause!

François: It’s a well-documented fact that Disney shows are powered by the souls of the unborn. Is that something you want to support?

The Ghost of Christmas Past materializes in your bedroom – who is most likely to be playing the part and why?

Marc: Tom Baker as Dr. Who as The Ghost of Christmas past. The Tardis would take us back to see my whole sordid past.

François: Charlie Brown. Because the first Christmas gift I remember getting was a Charlie Brown racing set.

Did a toy ever help you get through an illness or hospital stay?

Marc: Doom 2 helped me get through some difficult flu seasons.

François: I have a huge backlog of games and books I want to enjoy at home. The only time I put a dent in them is when I get sick. They’re a huge comfort that distract me from the physical betrayal of my body.

Five suggestions for holiday scenes you hope the audience doesn’t throw out at you, for reasons either personal or professional, just to give attendees advanced warning…

Marc: I’m pretty much fine with any suggestion as long the audience understands that they’re going to get what they ask for … if they suggest a twenty-minute Christmas play called “Santa’s Magic Dildo”, well they’re going to get it.

François: Let’s go with Marc’s answer. I’m not following “Santa’s Magic Dildo”.

Do you know anybody who actually eats fruitcake?

Marc: The English.

François: I eat fruitcake. I’m part-English, so Marc wins again.

The one toy you’re still secretly hoping to get is…?

Marc: Final Fantasy for NES.

François: The Lego Home One Star Cruiser. It has a Lego Admiral Ackbar. Nothing better exists in this universe.

Which of you is most likely to break out into a rousing version of “Santa Baby” during the performance?

Marc: Probably me, even though I don’t really know any of the words.

François: Probably Marc, because no one needs to hear my version of it.

What is the right way to ask a gift-giver for a receipt?

Marc: Make up an elaborate lie involving a faked death, a phony marriage and an out-of-control bus.

François: “About that 3-speed toaster you gave me, would you mind if I could get the receipt? I think mine is broken. I wrote “shite gift” on it and now it doesn’t seem to work.”

What projects will you fine folks be keeping busy with in 2010?

Marc: We’ll continue offering improv classes, putting on comedy shows like the Follow Up and creating new improv shows like Improv Tuesdays.

François: We’re also offering sketch writing classes for the first time January (taught by Uncalled For’s Anders Yates) plus we’re back helping to run Improv 2010 (The Montreal Improv Festival) in October.

Improv Tuesday begins at 8 pm at Ernie Butler’s Comedy Nest in the AMC Forum, 313 Ste-Catherine O. on the 3rd floor, (514) 932-6378. All proceeds from the 5$ ticket go to Child’s Play. For more details, visit the Montreal Improv site.

Tagged as: Child's Play, Comedy Nest, Ernie Butler, Montreal Improv