About the Play:

HARD TO FIND BOOK, only a very limited number of copies are still available.

Blowfish is a full-length dark comedy by Vern Thiessen. How do dysfunctional Prairie twins, a tragic teen-turned-vegetable, right-wing American politics, the Edmonton tornado, an undistinguished BA in philosophy and a Mila Mulroney fixation spin together? Join the elegant and debonair caterer Lumière as he serves you up a whole new eating experience.

Blowfish is an extended monologue spoken by a university-trained caterer with a philosophy degree named Lumière. He traces his life in Alberta from his experiences in the mortuary where his father was an undertaker and Lumière grew up around dead bodies, the tragic story of a catastrophic injury to his 16-year-old twin brother in an automobile accident, and tragic death years later of his parents in a freak tornado. He describes his conversion to a right-wing political agenda, including his unhealthy infatuation with former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's wife, Mila. While the audience listens with rapt attention, what they are to Witness at the end of the evening becomes increasingly clear. The only questions are, When and How?

Blowfish premiered in 1996 at the Commerce Place in downtown Edmonton, with a banquet for the audience. It is with this work that Vern Thiessen started to make his reputation.

Cast: 1 male

What people say:

"Blowfish is in-your-face and elusive, all at the same time — both a teasing enigmatic game and a no-holds-barred confession." — John Murrell, playwright

"The script is brilliant… A highly imaginative work…." — Ottawa Sun

"Let's just say that it's black. It's creepy. It's deliciously morbid and delectably dark." — Vue Weekly

About the Playwright:

Vern Thiessen is one of Canada's most produced playwrights. He has written for stage, radio and television. His stage plays – including Blowfish – have been seen off-Broadway and in regional theatres across Canada, the United States, Asia, the United Kingdom, the Middle East and Europe. He is the winner of many awards including the Governor General's Literary Award, Canada's highest honour for playwriting. He splits his time between Canada and New York City.