BWW Interviews: Women Fully Clothed's Robin Duke

Women Fully Clothed: Older and Hotter is the much anticipated sequel to Canada's "comedy dream team" (Toronto Star) which takes everyday life, adds a dash of hilarity and puts it onstage.
The show features four of Canada's most celebrated and talented comediennes on stage together where they tackle all sorts of topics from mother-daughter relationships to cross border shopping and craft shows!

Robin Duke, Jayne Eastwood, Kathryn Greenwood and Teresa Pavlinek have crafted a fantastic evening of stories and song that is guaranteed to have both men and women alike laughing with them - and maybe at them a little bit too.

BWW had the chance to speak with all four women about the unique challenges of being not only a female in the business of comedy, but also "women of a certain age." They were just as funny in their interviews as in their show, and all week we will feature a piece with each leading lady. Today we are speaking with Robin Duke:

Congratulations on bringing WOMEN FULLY CLOTHED: Older & Hotter to Toronto! Why did you choose now to bring the show back to the city?

We wanted to work with The Mirvish Corporation so that we could do our show for as many people as possible and play the Royal Alexandra Theatre.

As comediennes working in what is still a predominantly male dominated field, do you feel that you have to work that much harder to prove yourselves compared to your male counterparts? Or in 2011 are women finally on equal footing?

We have been doing this show since 2004 and in that time we have noticed that there is a huge audience of women who are loving getting dressed up and going out to the theatre and having an evening of laughs at comedic material that is identifiably smart and silly and the same time. We don't need to prove ourselves. Give us an audience of men or women and we will make them laugh with us everytime.

You were all involved in Second City, how did that environment help set up your careers? Was it a good training ground? Did you find a big difference between the Toronto and Chicago Second City's?

Second City was a brilliant training ground. I learned how to write on my feet and perform in front of an audience and how to get a laugh. As for the differences between the two? Toronto has always been known for character based sketches whereas Chicago had more of a political theme.

Obviously this show makes light of the fact that you are getting older - but do you find that as women there is increased pressure to continue to look a certain way as the years go by? Something that perhaps male performers don't need to worry about as much?

Well we like to look good! But I love that I am the age that I am and still getting laughs and defying all the comedy pendants with smart satirical sketches that reflect women at our age trying to get through the day with some dignity intact - even if our hair and lipstick aren't.

You are basically running your own show with this tour, and therefore get to decide when and where you go. What kinds of factors come into play when determining where to take the show next? Any cities or places you are dying to perform in?

We schedule our show around Halloween and our kid's birthdays and school event schedules. Of course I'm dying to perform on Broadway! And it would be nice to go to Florida in the winter.

The last time WOMEN FULLY CLOTHED came through Toronto it received rave reviews, yet comedy in general is still seen as the "lesser" art form when compared to drama. Why do you think that is? Especially when it is so universal?

I suppose there are a lot of humourless snobs out there. The best comedy is when it's based on truth and real drama - and then you take it one step further and add the comedic twist. It is much more difficult to accomplish. I would rather go for the laughs than stay in the deep dark places. The comedic twist is what gets you out of it. Your sense of humour can get you through the worst of times. That's comedy.

Finally, what would you say to encourage a younger audience to come out and see this show?

Who needs ‘em! Just kidding of course. My son and his sixteen year old friends love it. We know how to work a room and get a laugh. Plus...we hand out candy!

When and Where?
Women Fully Clothed: Older and Hotter

The Royal Alexandra Theatre

June 14th-June 19th

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:
Tuesday, June 14 - 7:30pm
Wednesday, June 15 - 2 & 8pm
Thursday, June 16 - 8pm
Friday, June 17 - 8pm
Saturday, June 18 - 2 & 8pm
Sunday, June 19 - 2pm

Tickets can be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 416-872-1212 or online at www.mirvish.com/shows/womenfullyclothed