The Cultch and PuSh International Performing Arts Festival present LEFTOVERS

Born in 1980, between the elections of Thatcher and Reagan, comedian Charlie Demers emerged from that reactionary era a proud socialist. How much have things improved since the 80s? The answer is as obvious as it is infuriating: not much. In his theatrical debut, created with Marcus Youssef of Neworld Theatre, Demers is asking why. This is stand-up as a storytelling tour de force: a complex and moving story about Demers and personal loss, about ideology, about the dreams of millions and why they've gone unfulfilled.

Sound serious? You bet it is. It's also hilarious. Mostly. In the best tradition of political comedy, Demers uses humour as a pointed weapon, cutting through decades of bullshit into the core of malaise, and the many questions it raises. Chief among them is one we've all asked: Why are we so accepting of the world as it is? Cursing the darkness and lighting a candle, Leftovers makes us laugh through gritted teeth while shaking our fists at the neoliberal order. It's funny because it's true.

One of the stars of CBC Radio's "The Debaters", a best-selling author, and one of Canada's finest stand-up comedians, Charlie Demers lectures in creative writing at UBC and continues to fight the good fight as a political activist.

Leftovers is created by Charles Demers & Marcus Youssef

Performed by: Charles Demers

Directed by: Marcus Youssef

Associate Direction by: Chelsea Haberlin

Designed by: Parjad Sharifi

Production Management by: Robin Richardson

Stage Management by: Lois Dawson

For more information, photos and interview requests, please contact Teresa Trovato at teresatrovatopr@gmail.com

About The Cultch:

Now in its 42nd season, The Cultch has been one of Vancouver's most diverse and innovative arts and cultural institutions, offering dynamic programming in contemporary theatre, dance, and music by local, national, and international artists. Today, The Cultch continues to enrich the social and cultural life of Vancouver by bringing world-class cultural presentations to the public, supporting the growth of emerging artists and companies, and facilitating dialogue between groups in the Lower Mainland, especially within our local community of East Vancouver.

The Cultch is so much more than just a theatre in the physical sense - our organization is looked upon as one of the foremost performing arts presenters in the country. Widely recognized as an innovator and leader, we have played an integral role in the development of British Columbia's artistic landscape. www.thcultch.com

About Neworld Theatre:

Founded in 1995, Neworld Theatre is excited to be marking its 20th anniversary season with three productions at The Cultch. A multiple award-winning company, Neworld Theatre creates, produces, and tours new plays and performance events in Vancouver and around the world. Neworld strives to tell stories that are as complicated and contradictory as the enormously small country in which we live. This work is designed to respond to the creative interests of Neworld's core artists, issues that are central to the city in which we live, and opportunities that emerge in relationship to its many local, national and international partners. www.neworldtheatre.com

About PuSh International Performing Arts Festival:

The PuSh International Performing Arts Festival is Vancouver's mid-winter festival presenting ground-breaking, acclaimed local, national and international work in the live performing arts: theatre, dance, music, and various forms of multimedia and hybrid performance. The 2016 PuSh Festival takes place January 19 to February 7 at venues across Vancouver, with over 150 performances and events, and features artists from Canada, Australia, England, France, Lebanon, and the United States. www.pushfestival.ca

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