A woman who can’t laugh walks into a doctor of Humour’s office…

No really, Evelyn Traynor can’t laugh, she barely even smiles any more. Naturally, she seeks medical attention from a doctor…well, he’s almost a doctor anyways. The two make a perfect pair, in more ways than one. Humour Me, written by Beverly Cooper and deftly directed by Miles Potter, truly embodies the term romantic comedy. Powerhouse performances and a delightfully unique story make Humour Me a must-see production.

Freddy Van Camp has transformed Here For Now’s Theatre into a cozy office space, even using chalk on the back wall for the professor’s calendar and to-do list. A large desk, complete with a tape recorder (remember cassettes?), lamp, and landline sit to one side while a large reclining chair with a machine next to it sit opposite. Rebecca Chaikin’s costumes suit the characters perfectly: the professor in a stereotypical sweater vest, lab coat, and glasses, while Evelyn’s wardrobe is calm, muted and practical.

Leo Payne is studying humour as it pertains to neuroscience: he’s looking at what parts of the brain light up when you hear a funny joke. But when Evelyn Traynor walks in to be a part of his study, his research takes a startling new turn. Evelyn doesn’t laugh at any of the jokes Dr. Payne tells her – not a single one. She fully understands the joke and how it’s supposed to work, but she simply doesn’t find it funny. How can she find things funny when there’s so much out there to worry about? Evelyn becomes a case study for Dr. Payne, and as the two of them spend more time together, they begin to find that other areas of Evelyn’s brain are certainly active when Leo’s around.

Cooper’s writing is top notch; she’s got familiar jokes and ones you’ve never heard before, along with a really original basis for the story. Though I generally don’t care for rom-com films, there was something rather heartwarming about watching one play out right in front of you. Cooper is able to utilize some rom-com conventions while subverting others in a way that makes Humour Me feel fresh. I also remember thinking several times throughout the play how intrigued I am by the science that Dr. Payne and his colleagues are doing. We know so little about how our brains actually work and to see how humour, whether the jokes are good or bad, might use different areas of the brain than we initially thought is fascinating to me. The way the science is woven into the story is also brilliant; Payne explains everything to Traynor in a way that doesn’t leave the audience behind.

Martha Farrell plays Evelyn and I have to give her major kudos because she didn’t break throughout the entire show and I have no clue how she does it. Honestly, I couldn’t help but chuckle or giggle or outright laugh at all of the jokes Dr. Payne tries to use on Evelyn. They actually have jokes playing during the scene changes and those are just as funny (or groan-worthy depending on your taste). Yet Farrell sits there joke after joke, with a completely neutral, if not slightly bothered, look on her face. The only time where I saw a hint, and I mean the most tiny upturn of the corners of her mouth, is when Leo’s hurt his ankle and she’s looking to examine it. Gregory Prest really turned on the theatrics, wincing at every little touch, and something must have been different than rehearsals because it almost broke Farrell’s austere facade.

Farrell and Prest have electric chemistry right from the get-go. Prest’s awkwardness as Payne and Farrell’s reserved nature as Traynor play perfectly well with each other and make for some truly cringey moments well suited for the rom-com genre. They both have really vulnerable stories within the play, and they break our hearts, yet it also makes the final moments all the more meaningful.

Humour Me does just that: it tickles our funny bones and it warms our hearts. Told by impressive storytellers, this is a show that’ll have you belly laughing and telling all of your worst jokes the whole ride home.

Humour Me runs until July 26. For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.herefornowtheatre.com/humour-me

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Cover Photo: Martha Farrell as EVALYN TRAYNOR. Freddy van Camp Set Design. .Rebecca Chaikin Costume Design. Ann Baggley – Photographer

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