Local playwright takes a satricial look at government life

His two one-act plays, called The Roof Top Guy and The Three Hole Punch, will be presented by the East End Theatre company and offer a satirical look at life in a federal government office. The plays contain separate, yet intermingled plots about the petty stealing of office supplies from a bureaucrat who has possibly committed suicide.

At a glance, it doesn’t sound funny. But Embrun-based Cook has garnered a reputation as a humourist who cleverly makes even the most mundane of household chores seem hilarious. “Anyone who has ever worked in an office will find this play enchanting,” says director Marni Hunt-Stephens. “Sometimes at rehearsal I just laugh out loud because John has characterized the bureaucrat so well.”

Based in Embrun and now a regular columnist with [ITALICS]The Star[ITALICS], Cook has been contributing to Ottawa publications as a comedic commentator for over 15 years.

In the early nineties, just before Ottawa became high-tech boomtown, Cook wrote a popular humour column for Monitor Magazine from the perspective of someone who lacked tech-savvy. He’s also done stand-up at Yuk Yuk’s Comedy Club, which means this guy is serious… about being funny.

Since 2002, Cook has adapted his talent to suit local theatre. He has written three murder mysteries and co-written five plays for the Vintage Stock Theatre.

But the East End Theatre productions mark the first time Cook’s work will be “staged,” since the Vintage Stock Theatre productions are always held outdoors. “The set will be simple because the characters in these plays are so gripping and speak so well for themselves,” says Hunt-Stephens. “People will recognize themselves and others in these caricatures.” “In a government city like this, John’s work is sure to have wide appeal.” The Rooftop Guy and The Three Hole Punch run from Wednesday, July 11 through Saturday, July 14 at the Orléans Theatre, 255 Centrum Blvd.. Shows start at 7:30pm. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased online at www.eastendtheatre.com or at any Frameworks location.