These ladies keep the laughs Canadian
Next time your parents break up a late night jam session, or tell you that you shouldn't be making light of a serious situation, you can now point out a couple people who are making those two things mainstream.
Hayley Gratto and Chelsea Manders, otherwise known as the Nefarious Black Roses, met at Ryerson University while they were both studying theatre. A shared love of comedy and singing, brought the two together backstage during a school production. During their spare time Hayley, who would bring her guitar, and Chelsea would amuse their friends with made-up bands.
“Our classmates encouraged to keep on signing funny songs,” explained Chelsea. “We thought maybe we'd try a comedy club because it looked like a challenge, and it went really well there.”
According to Hayley, the two base their songs on everyday life and the great white north.
“We're really inspired by Canada,” she explained. “It's a really great topic to make jokes about because our country is so sincere and we love our country, but it's so funny sometimes.”
In fact, one of the Roses first songs, called “Polygamy,” is actually based on the controversial B.C. town of Bountiful. But the two don't just stick to their home and native land when it comes to creating their songs. They've also done pieces on Michael Jackson and Camilla Parker Bowles, because as Chelsea explained, the pair also loves the Commonwealth and it's humourous side.
“We like the news stories that are quirky,” Chelsea explained when asked where the two found their inspiration. “More social commentaries as opposed to political stuff. We'll read something in rehearsal and if we both laugh at it, we'll know it hitting on the right thing.”
The pair believes that although they started out targeting the college/university crowd, and people in that age range, their humour really transcends the age barrier. Though sometimes that means altering the, shall we say, language somewhat.
“When you're asked to do something for CBC you kind of have to clean up your act a bit,” laughed Hayley. “But we've found that overall all ages of people like it, and can relate to us. We write such a range of material that it can be really raunchy and naughty but also clean and topical, so there's something for everyone.”
The pair believe that they're humour stereotypically reflects the average Canadian, as the two are part of a long line of Canadian comedians who base their bread and butter jokes on their home country. With TV shows like “The Royal Canadian Air Farce,” “This Hour Has 22 Minutes” and “The Mercer Report” for the most part focused on making Canadians laugh at themselves, the Roses are definitely in good company.
“I feel that Canada and Canadians have a really good sense of humour,” explained Hayley. “We don't take things too seriously. We love our country but we're not ridiculously patriotic. So we can laugh at things like how Canada is sort of in a mini-war with Denmark over this rock island called Hans Island. Things like that are very silly, but typically Canadian, and deserve to make fun of- But in a loving way.”
But, what about the name ‘Nefarious Black Roses'?
“The simple answer is that we thought roses were one of the most beautiful things in the world,” the girls took turns explaining. “And making them genetically modified to the colour black would create a really poetic image. On top of that, we are ‘nefarious,' which is a harder word to spell than ‘naughty', and we like to be educational.”
The Nefarious Black Roses will be performing at London's Wolf Performance Hall on Thursday, November 29 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18-$20 in advance and can be purchased at The Grand Theatre Box Office or the Chapters at Masonville Mall. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $23.00.
Hayley Gratto and Chelsea Manders, otherwise known as the Nefarious Black Roses, met at Ryerson University while they were both studying theatre. A shared love of comedy and singing, brought the two together backstage during a school production. During their spare time Hayley, who would bring her guitar, and Chelsea would amuse their friends with made-up bands.
“Our classmates encouraged to keep on signing funny songs,” explained Chelsea. “We thought maybe we'd try a comedy club because it looked like a challenge, and it went really well there.”
According to Hayley, the two base their songs on everyday life and the great white north.
“We're really inspired by Canada,” she explained. “It's a really great topic to make jokes about because our country is so sincere and we love our country, but it's so funny sometimes.”
In fact, one of the Roses first songs, called “Polygamy,” is actually based on the controversial B.C. town of Bountiful. But the two don't just stick to their home and native land when it comes to creating their songs. They've also done pieces on Michael Jackson and Camilla Parker Bowles, because as Chelsea explained, the pair also loves the Commonwealth and it's humourous side.
“We like the news stories that are quirky,” Chelsea explained when asked where the two found their inspiration. “More social commentaries as opposed to political stuff. We'll read something in rehearsal and if we both laugh at it, we'll know it hitting on the right thing.”
The pair believes that although they started out targeting the college/university crowd, and people in that age range, their humour really transcends the age barrier. Though sometimes that means altering the, shall we say, language somewhat.
“When you're asked to do something for CBC you kind of have to clean up your act a bit,” laughed Hayley. “But we've found that overall all ages of people like it, and can relate to us. We write such a range of material that it can be really raunchy and naughty but also clean and topical, so there's something for everyone.”
The pair believe that they're humour stereotypically reflects the average Canadian, as the two are part of a long line of Canadian comedians who base their bread and butter jokes on their home country. With TV shows like “The Royal Canadian Air Farce,” “This Hour Has 22 Minutes” and “The Mercer Report” for the most part focused on making Canadians laugh at themselves, the Roses are definitely in good company.
“I feel that Canada and Canadians have a really good sense of humour,” explained Hayley. “We don't take things too seriously. We love our country but we're not ridiculously patriotic. So we can laugh at things like how Canada is sort of in a mini-war with Denmark over this rock island called Hans Island. Things like that are very silly, but typically Canadian, and deserve to make fun of- But in a loving way.”
But, what about the name ‘Nefarious Black Roses'?
“The simple answer is that we thought roses were one of the most beautiful things in the world,” the girls took turns explaining. “And making them genetically modified to the colour black would create a really poetic image. On top of that, we are ‘nefarious,' which is a harder word to spell than ‘naughty', and we like to be educational.”
The Nefarious Black Roses will be performing at London's Wolf Performance Hall on Thursday, November 29 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $18-$20 in advance and can be purchased at The Grand Theatre Box Office or the Chapters at Masonville Mall. Tickets can also be purchased at the door for $23.00.
