Pardis Parker Visits Halifax

Written and Photos by Emily Chian

@Aumi_and_emily

Pardis Parker ended his comedy tour last weekend in Halifax. After several sold-out shows in LA and in Ontario, he and Kathy Jones, from This Hour has 22 Minutes, performed in The Carleton in front of a sold-out crowd on Sunday, January 19th. 

Raised in Nova Scotia and residing in LA, Pardis Parker is a prominent figure in comedy stages and television in Canada and the United States. Pardis Parker currently stars in Mideast Minute and had directed CBC’s comedy show This Hour has 22 Minutes, where he satirizes the situation going on in the Middle East. The Sri Lanka-born award-winning comedian is also a filmmaker, writer, and actor. He’s also won several Canadian Comedy Awards and his short films (Afghan, Two Men, Two Cows, Two Guns) have received outstanding awards and nominations in film festivals in North America and overseas— including Toronto International Film Festival and Athens International Film Festival, and regular work in Hollywood. 

On Sunday, audience members came from the local community, and fans from as far as PEI came alone or with friends. The audience also enjoyed performances by other comedians, such as Jordan Foisy from This Hour has 22 Minutes.

The comedic performances were full Canadian jokes featuring small-town laughs and criticism of the people who live there. It made the whole crowd laugh and snort. Some parts verged on cynicism, but the audience was receptive and welcomed them with Maritime hospitality.

On the other hand, Parker joked about grinding and billionaires, his dating life, and facing depression in his apartment. He also joked about his father’s experience with using anti-virus software, spinach, and his experience with a Dyson vacuum. He alludes to his college days and woes of single-life. The punchlines seemed to be aimed at millennials, and in a mostly 50+ audience, they fell a bit flat. Sensing the mild and neutral reactions, Parker ended with a personal love story.    

When asked about how he started his career, Parker recalls producing and performing in Halifax at first, then slowly gaining recognition from Toronto.  His advice for those who aspire to perform was that “it’s hard” and that “there’s no magic formula, you just gotta get on stage and start doing it.”

Parker says “a lot of people here came to see Kathy”. Many fans were there to see the 64-year-old who is currently the longest and only original cast member of This Hour has 22 Minutes.  She was warmly welcomed and received at the Carleton.

Pardis Parker, came across as a funny college buddy who’s never changed, which baffled the middle-aged crowd. Perhaps he does well in a young LA crowd; unfortunately, he was in the wrong place and time.