By Anne Brodie
Canada’s reputation for humour got the boost of a lifetime in 1976 when the sketch comedy series SCTV (Second City TV) landed. It was revolutionary, featuring superb writing and the talents of an extraordinary ensemble of actors – Joe Flaherty, Andrea Martin, the late, great Catherine O’Hara, Eugene Levy, John Candy, Martin Short, Rick Moranis, Andrea Martin, and Dave Thomas. They ran the fictional Melonville’s TV station and oh what zany fun. Remember this?
Its original sketches were the stuff of comedy dreams, satire, politics, cultural change – the seventies! – all flavoured with the maple syrup of Canada’s deep comedy reserves and our distinctive point of view.
And get this, on March 24, “The Second City Toronto will open its 91st Mainstage Revue when the City of Toronto will honour The Second City with a heritage plaque, with an official unveiling ahead of the performance, recognizing the theatre’s historic contribution to Canadian comedy.”
A wee history of the revered ensemble’s history:
The Second City first brought its iconic improv and sketch comedy to Toronto in 1963 for a week of performances at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. After a decade of sold out shows at the 1200-seat theatre, The Second City established a permanent home in the city with the opening of “The Old Firehall” on Lombard Street. In 1976, The Second City Toronto further solidified its place in comedy history by creating the groundbreaking television show SCTV.
In December 2022, The Second City began a new chapter relocating to a state-of-the-art facility at One York Street. This move introduced three distinct theatres: The Mainstage, Theatre ’73, and The John Candy Box Theatre, with nightly performance.
Also among its illustrious alumni are Mike Myers, Colin Mochrie, Bob Martin, Jerry Minor, Gavin Crawford, Kevin Vidal, Darryl Hinds, Chris Wilson, Lauren Ash, Ann Pornel, Alan Shane Lewis and so many more.