If you love improv, comedy, and supporting grassroots theatre, mark your calendar for Tuesday, March 4, 2025.
Knifefight Theatre is presenting an unmissable event, Colin Mochrie & Friends: A Fundraiser for The Assembly Theatre, featuring Canadian comedy icon Colin Mochrie and an all-star lineup of improvisational talent. The event promises an unforgettable evening of side-splitting laughter, whose proceeds will help keep independent theatre thriving in Toronto’s Parkdale neighbourhood.
For Jamie Cavanagh, podcast host, the Artistic Director of Knifefight Theatre, and the Assembly Theatre’s new Director of Marketing and Artistic Producer, this event is deeply personal. “The Assembly Theatre is so much more than a performance space—it’s a lifeline for indie artists and a home for creative risk-taking,” he says. “We’re building something sustainable and impactful, and I’m so proud to be part of it.”
A star-studded lineup
While the chance to see Mochrie perform up close is reason enough to attend, the bill is a murderers’ row of Canada’s most celebrated comedic talents:
- Naomi Snieckus – She was Bobbi on CBC’s Mr D and is one half of Baram and Snieckus, whose recent stage show Big Stuff was a sold-out hit with multiple extensions at Crow’s Theatre. She is also the co-founder of The National Theatre of the World, a popular podcast host, and a Canadian Comedy Award winner.
- Matt Baram – He is a Second City veteran with credits including Matlock, The Umbrella Academy and Workin’ Moms. The other half of Baram and Snieckus, he is also an award-winning actor, writer, and improviser.
- Rebecca Northan – Co-creator of the runaway hit play Goblin: Macbeth, she is an accomplished actor, director, and improviser — with extensive theatre and TV credits, including Slings and Arrows and Murdoch Mysteries.
- Kayla Lorette – The award-winning comedian from New Eden and Baroness von Sketch Show is known for her character-driven comedy and magnetic stage presence.
- Ken Hall – An actor, disability advocate, and standout performer on The Umbrella Academy, he is also a director and internationally renowned improviser. His unique blend of physical comedy and heartfelt storytelling makes him a standout in any lineup.
- Kirsten Rasmussen – This comedic powerhouse seen on Baroness von Sketch Show and Workin’ Moms is also an accomplished director, writer, and improviser, who is known for her sharp wit and bold character work.
- Jamie Cavanagh –Yes, the celebrated indie theatre performer stepping into his new leadership role at The Assembly Theatre will also perform!
With such an outstanding lineup, the buzz around the event is already electric. “This fundraiser is a dream come true for any comedy fan,” says Cavanagh, who himself sounds just a little starstruck: “Colin Mochrie is an absolute legend—a hero to me and so many other Canadian performers. Sharing the stage with him, alongside Toronto improv royalty like Rebecca Northan, Matt Baram, and Naomi Snieckus, is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
A GREAT cause
Presented by Knifefight Theatre and The Assembly Theatre, the Colin Mochrie Fundraiser is about more than just big laughs. Proceeds from the night will help fund essential upgrades at The Assembly Theatre, including lobby renovations, comfortable storage benches, and digital picture frames to highlight upcoming performances. New streetfront signage will increase visibility and attract new audiences, helping to ensure the theatre’s continued growth and success. And in the spirit of community, a portion of the funds raised will also support the Parkdale Community Foodbank.
The Assembly Theatre has long been a crucial space for grassroots artists, offering an affordable, collaborative environment where creative risks are embraced. This fundraiser will help to secure its role, and grow its impact.
Everything you need to know
The night includes two shows:
- First Show: 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM (doors open at 6:45 PM)
- VIP Meet-and-Greet: 8:15 PM – 8:45 PM (limited to 10 VIP ticket holders)
- Second Show: 9:30 PM – 10:45 PM (doors open at 8:45 PM)
Each 75-minute performance will feature rapid-fire improv, unexpected twists, and gut-busting comedy—all in the intimate setting of The Assembly Theatre. And with only 60 seats available per show, this is a rare opportunity to see some of the best improvisers in the country in an intimate setting.
Your ticket options include:
- General Admission: $55
- Patron of the Arts: $75 (for those who wish to support The Assembly Theatre even further)
- VIP Tickets: $100 (includes access to the exclusive meet-and-greet with Colin Mochrie and the cast)
- Arts Worker Tickets: $35 (limited availability)
Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind comedy event that supports independent theatre and local community initiatives. Get tickets at eventbrite.ca, and be part of something truly special!
© Arpita Ghosal, Sesaya Arts Magazine 2025
