Getting a kick out of cancer?
Vancouver-based Bruce Horak survived cancer as a baby, and is now one of Canada’s only legally blind professional actors.
At open-mic nights around Toronto he began to introduce himself as “Cancer,” and found that audiences had a very strong and surprisingly positive reaction to the character.
That idea has evolved into the 80-minute show This is Cancer, with Horak personifying the dreaded disease as a gruesomely charming lounge singer in a gold lamé suit. Initially boasting that he is the world’s most popular figure, he then goes on his own journey of denial, anger, bargaining and acceptance when he discovers that the whole world hates him.
Sound like a downer? Horak’s brilliance is in bringing some humour to a disease that too many of us will face. This is Cancer contains adult material and situations.
Horak understands all too well that his show brings up various reactions and questions from audience members, so for his current tour he has encouraged the host theatres to add an informal question and answer session.
At Surrey Arts Centre’s presentation of This is Cancer on March 15 at 8 p.m., Horak and special guests, Dr. Judy Tang of InspireHealth and registered dietician Desiree Nielsen, will field audience questions after the show.
Tickets are $30/33, available at tickets.surrey.ca or by phoning 604-501-5566. The arts centre is located at 13750 88 Ave.
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