A BRIEF HISTORY

They have performed to critical and audience acclaim in Los Angeles, New York, Amsterdam, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Memphis, Orlando, Winnipeg and Leuven, Belgium. They have peformed with a DJ, with pyrotechnics, and without any audience input. Twice named the best improv troupe in Toronto (NOW MAGAZINE, 2002 & 2003), twice named the best improv troupe in Canada (CANADIAN COMEDY AWARDS, 2002 & 2003), Slap Happy Improvisational Theatre Company is the leading edge of Canadian long-form improvisation.

Kerry Griffin (Train 48), Sandy Jobin-Bevans (Second City Mainstage, Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle), Dave Pearce (Undercover Brother, Looking for Angelina) and Tabetha Wells (Second City National Touring Company) have been called "one of the smartest and funniest outfits in town...of whatever genre" (NOW Magazine); "smart and screwy" (Toronto Star); and "consistently inventive and funny" (Orlando Sentinel).

Formed as an ad hoc group for the Peterborough Fringe Festival in 1997, the troupe quickly found its feet as a fast-paced, informed quartet determined to test the limits of improvisational comedy. Finding local success almost immediately, their first few appearances in the U.S. garnered them instant recognition as a creative force.

As part of the Chicago Improv Fest, they have shared the stage with the writers of Mad-TV, and the cast of Whose Line is it Anyway?. In Amsterdam, and Leuven, Belgium, they brought the banner of Canadian improvisation to Europe. The foursome were frequent guests on CBC Toronto's Metro Morning, providing a satirical look at issues in the news.

Whether bringing a DJ onstage, performing a full-length play, or taking inspiration from the life work of a country icon, Slap Happy continues to break new ground in improvisational comedy. While their public appearances are increasingly rare, they still manage to garner raves with every show.