Andrew Barr has spent over a decade earning a reputation as one of Canada’s sharpest joke writers, but it’s his newfound sobriety that’s given his stand-up a raw, deeply personal edge — one that’s resonated with audiences from CBC Radio’s LOL to the Edinburgh Fringe to JFL Toronto. With a following of more than 140,000 online, Andrew’s comedy is honest in a way that doesn’t flinch, turning the hardest chapter of his life — addiction and recovery — into material that’s as cathartic as it is funny.
How would you describe your comedy style?
Boasting an online following of over 140k, Andrew Barr’s distinct approach to the stage is the most thoroughly honest and punchline-dense comedy in the country.
Revered for over a decade as one of Canada’s finest joke writers, his newfound sobriety has given him a raw and personal approach to stand up that is connecting with audiences around the globe, including featured performances on CBC Radio’s LOL, CBC’s Q, the Halifax Comedy Festival, Edinburgh Fringe, Hubcap Comedy fest, and JFL Toronto, to name a few.
With his demons caged and two hands on the wheel, the future is looking bright for Barrman. This is a wildly hilarious, don’t-miss act.
Who are some of your influences?
I think I am just moulded by the people around me that I perform with a lot. I don’t watch much comedy, outside of seeing it live. I can enjoy watching a special at home and will occasionally, but I think there’s no better way to take in the art form than being in the room with it.
Who was your favourite comedian growing up?
I didn’t have a specific favourite. I honestly grew up watching a lot more horror than I did comedy. My dad did get me into a lot of stuff, though. I think we mostly watched Seinfeld and the Red Green show. I enjoyed that, but I’m glad it didn’t have too much influence on how I perform. That’d be a weird combination.
Who is your favourite comedian now?
All my pals that I’m lucky enough to get to perform with are my honest faves. The big three that always come to mind are Mike Wilmot, Rob Pue, Hunter Collins… and Nick Beaton. Four.
What is your pre-show ritual?
I don’t have one. It used to be a beer and a shot. I don’t know if it’s good to have to strict a ritual. There will come a time when you have to operate without it. My most common pre-show behaviour is I get there early, eyeball the audience, decide I don’t like them, and then am proven wrong.
What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?
Favourite – Toronto Yuk Yuks. When it’s full, it just has the best energy of any room in the country.
Most interesting – Bare Oaks Nudist resort. You perform naked, and the crowd is naked. When a joke doesn’t work, at least you can pause and look at some boobs.
What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?
All of my stuff about going to rehab. For a long time I’ve been pretty good at writing jokes, but for most of my early career, the jokes weren’t terribly personal. I’m proud of taking the hardest part of my life and turning it into something people can share a laugh about and something that might inspire other people to get sober.
What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?
Seeing shows live. Just getting out and being a part of my community. I don’t watch a ton of comedy at home. Feels kind of like homework.
Tell us a joke about your city.
A lot of Canada does Toronto wrong, and that’s why they don’t like the city. They come here for one day, go to an Aquarium, spend the whole day in the worst, busiest part of town, and decide the city sucks.
People who live here don’t go to the aquarium. Do the fun stuff we do. Check out the nude beach. Ratio-wise, it is penis-heavy, admittedly. There are some tits too, but sparse. Even if you were to count each boob individually, still there are more penises. And some of the men are even contributing to the boob pile.
But it’s still a good time. Some people might think they’re too old to go. I’ve been. No, you’re not. A lot of old guys at the nude beach. Just dragging their testicles through the sand.
Do you have anything to promote right now?
My debut comedy special, Andrew Barr Goes Nowhere, released on YouTube, June 29th. It’s my single greatest achievement. I ran on a treadmill for 12hrs on stage at a comedy club and then immediately recorded a comedy special after running 104km. The whole day was a metaphor for addiction, and we raised a bunch of money for the rehab centre that I went to.
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?
