It’s been five years since comedian James Mullinger pulled up stakes in his native London and took the plunge to move him and his family across the pond to settle in St, John, New Brunswick and start anew there to build up his stand-up comedy career.
In those five short years, Mullinger has successfully lived the Canadian dream in more ways than one. First of all, he established himself as a popular stand-up comic in his new home, which culminated in a sold out solo show at New Brunswick’s Harbour Station Arena three years ago. He has constantly toured the Maritimes and the rest of Canada, and played to sold out crowds wherever he performed. His stand-up specials have been critically-acclaimed and have become best selling DVD releases. He performs in countless corporate gigs and fundraisers. He produced the hit autobiographical feature film The Comedian’s Guide to Survival. As well, The Maritime Edit, the colourful, glossy arts and lifestyles magazine that he founded with his wife Pam, is now in its third year of publication and is sold at Chapters and Indigo bookstores across the country (and is available at Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges). And to top things off, Mullinger has been recently nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award for his stand-up special based on his recent Almost Canadian tour.
And speaking of his continuing Almost Canadian tour, Mullinger will be bringing it to Montreal for his first show here in three years, which will take place on April 24 at the Theatre St. Catherine.
The Theatre St. Catherine is a beautiful venue. Performing there is like a dream come true moment for me, because I used to see some of best names in comedy perform there when I used to visit Montreal, and no I am getting the chance to perform there myself, said Mullinger during a recent phone interview. Montreal audiences see the biggest and best names in comedy all the time, so performing here keeps you sharp and on your toes.
Mullinger brings his unique sense of comedy that features his trademark energetic storytelling to his Almost Canadian tour, which deals with what he has learned and absorbed during the past five years in Canada, where he is currently a permanent resident and is going through the process of becoming a full-fledged Canadian citizen, which includes studying for the citizenship test.
The tour celebrates everything Canadian that I learned so far during my time here, including the Canadian identity, culture and how differently things work here, he said. For example, I mention the citizenship test, which has answers that no one dares not to know. During a point in the show, I try to catch the audience with some of those test questions, and no one can get the answers!
Through all the projects and ventures that Mullinger has involved himself with during his five years as a resident of Canada, he will always continue to tour and perform stand-up, no matter how large or small scale the gig is, which includes a future show at Canada House in London, England on behalf of Destination Canada to promote Canadian tourism.
Touring and performing is something that I love, he said. I will continue to perform at every pub, club and corporate gig that I can because I love the job and I am grateful that I can still make a living as a stand-up comic. It’s quite unbelievable.
For more information about his Almost Canadian tour, go to www.jamesmullinger.com.
