Brent Butt, the Canadian comedian known for creating and starring in Corner Gas, is bringing his stand-up comedy tour to Vancouver Island this September. He will perform in Nanaimo on September 19 at the Port Theatre and in Victoria on September 20 at the McPherson Playhouse.
With nearly four decades in comedy, Butt has developed a style that is conversational, witty, and understated. “I need to connect with the crowd. I need to learn what they like, what they don’t like, what they’re into, in real time,” he said. This approach keeps each performance organic and unpredictable.
Unlike many comedians who plan every joke, Butt relies on what he calls his “tickle trunk” of material. He draws from it depending on the audience and lets the show evolve naturally. He usually knows how to open a show, but the rest unfolds based on the crowd’s reaction.
When creating new material, Butt follows a three-step process: brainstorm, polish, and road-test. He writes down funny ideas or phrases, shapes them into structured jokes, and then tests them live at comedy clubs. “You can only be so funny at the kitchen table at two in the afternoon. Once you get up under the spotlight with a microphone, something clicks … That’s where the magic is,” he explained.
Butt’s live experimentation has kept his stand-up fresh and relevant, even as he expanded into television and writing. He is best known for Corner Gas, one of Canada’s most successful sitcoms, which remains popular in reruns and streaming.
Beyond comedy, Butt is focusing on writing novels and developing new television projects. He recently released his first novel, Huge, in 2023, and is currently working on a second dark psychological thriller. He is also developing a TV pilot, which he says excites him more than anything he has written in years.
“Sometimes it’s a book, sometimes it’s a script, sometimes it’s stand-up. I just follow the idea that won’t leave my head,” Butt said.
Despite his many projects, Butt’s mission on stage remains simple: to entertain. He wants audiences to forget their problems for an hour or more and leave feeling they spent their time well. “If you leave thinking, ‘that was a good use of my time,’ then I’ve done my job,” he said.
Tickets for the Vancouver Island shows are available online and promise a night of live laughs, storytelling, and fresh material from one of Canada’s most respected comedians. Fans can expect a performance that blends decades of experience with spontaneity, keeping every show lively and unique.
