“Silly, irreverent, hilarious, raucous, rollicking…love these Monks.”

Warning: it’s possible to get caught up in the moment of this interactive 75-minute show that encourages audience participation. I did.

Apologies to Veronica Hortigüela: I was the one who kept spraying her face as she stood on the steps. The look she gave me said it all.

The intimate BMO Incubator Space at Toronto’s The Theatre Centre works entirely in favour of this raucous and rollicking opening night production. It often reminded me of an SNL parody that got completely out of control, but the audience just went along for the ride.

And it’s a hell of a ride. One that I’ll always remember.

‘Monks’ is sold out until the final performance on March 2, but keep checking if tickets become available.

Two medieval monks live in a cloistered hilltop Spanish monastery. They take the audience to the quiet abode of prayer and contemplation when the Abbott goes into town.

Quiet abode? Prayer, contemplation?

Hah!

Instead, Veronica Hortigüela and Annie Luján are involved in anything but quiet, prayer and contemplation.

I’m a practicing Roman Catholic, and I laughed out loud many, many times at the insane shenanigans going on.

Was I insulted by any of the religious and faith insinuations?

Absolutely not. Let’s face it. We’re all under a great deal of stressful and intense scrutiny from all sides right now. Will we be the 51st state? For whom do we vote? Will I have my job tomorrow? Are there cutbacks at work going on? I hope I left my wallet at home and it’s not gone (that actually happened last night to me.)

‘Monks’ combats all of that. It’s a chance to let out a good belly laugh. And be thankful we don’t have to clean up the auditorium afterwards.

It’s a 75-minute nonstop improvisational showcase of every comedic, clowning, dramatic, and theatrical technique I could imagine.

Hortigüela and Luján are stellar at this brand of comedy. These gals make it look easy but it’s not. Every comic nuance, every staged moment, and every audience reaction must be timed perfectly for maximum effect.

To spoil, set up or tell any of the surprises would be wrong.

Yes, it’s okay to see high-brow comedy like Oscar Wilde or Shakespeare’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ These productions do have their place.

And so does ‘Monks.’

Thank you, Veronica and Annie, for making me laugh. I needed it. This coming week marks the 15th anniversary of my younger brother’s passing away.

I miss him dearly.

He wasn’t a theatre-goer, but he would have loved this show.

I’m also in the year of firsts without my mother who passed away May 16, 2024. She came to the theatre with me. She would have loved ‘Monks.’

I went to see the show last night with a friend. My brother and mother were also there in spirit.

Bless you, Veronica and Annie, for entertaining the four of us and last night’s full house.

Fa la la and make sure the ‘stash’ fits tonight (or did I accidentally give something away?)

Running time: 75 minutes with no intermission.

‘Monks’ runs until March 2 in the BMO Incubator Space at the Theatre Centre 1115 Queen Street West. The show is sold out, but keep checking for tickets: boxoffice@theatrecentre.org.

(Photo Credit: Audrianna Martin Del Campo. Pictured L-R: Annie Luján and Veronica Hortigüela)