| "I think I did my first play, The Music Man, in Lethbridge when I was in Grade 6 or something." That’s how Alberta-boy-turned-Torontonian Gavin Crawford recalls the beginnings of his ever-expanding comedy career, which is about to take a new turn. After three years of being involved in many on- and off- camera aspects of The Gavin Crawford Show on the Comedy Network, the show appears to be coming to an end and he is looking for new opportunities.
"Part of me would just like to just act in something now," he says.
Through his experience as a solo stage performer and a past stint with the acclaimed Second City comedy troupe, Crawford has cultivated an impressive talent for creating fresh and memorable characters. That talent has been the cornerstone of The Gavin Crawford Show, which is wrapping up its third season – and most likely its last, although there is a slim chance it will return.
The show features Crawford in many recurring roles, including rock star wannabe and Johnny Rotten look-alike Red Ronny Rocker, shy and nerdy teenager Mark Jackson, porn star Hugey McNutts and perennially cheerful librarian Verna Howard.
Verna’s character was originally developed as part of Crawford’s stage act. "I was doing a show in England and I had to get one of those metro passes. They take a little picture for it and I looked at my picture and I was like, ‘I look like a lesbian librarian,’" he says, recalling an important step in her early evolution.
With tightly curled hair and dark-framed glasses, the gawky and not so feminine Verna seems oblivious to many facets of modern life. She also seems a little hazy when it comes to her own sexuality. Asked if Verna is in fact a lesbian, Crawford responds, "I don’t really know. I don’t think she even knows. If you look deep into her psyche she probably is, but I don’t think she would ever be aware of that."
Born in Taber and raised in Lethbridge, Crawford brings his own roots to bear in the makeup of a relatively new character, the beer-swilling lout Chad Jackson. "His accent, I have noticed, is very specifically Albertan," he says. Chad is the older brother of aforementioned nerd Mark Jackson, a character that has long been a Crawford favourite. While Mark is shy and well-meaning, Chad is the self-involved bane of Mark’s existence.
Seeing Chad in all his testosterone-fueled glory, it’s easy to envision him rushing out to the street to hurl during Calgary’s Electric Avenue heyday. He’s a bang-on caricature of young Prairie males who care for little more than cars, getting wasted and chasing women. The fact that Chad is brought to life by an openly gay performer makes him all the more a genius creation.
The last new episode of The Gavin Crawford Show will air on Tuesday, July 1 in its usual 11:30 p.m. time slot. Rebroadcasts of all 26 episodes will probably continue for some time on The Comedy Network, and Crawford does not rule out the show returning as occasional new specials.
But for now, Crawford is ready to wrap it up. "I need to take a break from it. It’s a difficult show to make." That’s an understatement when you realize that Crawford plays as many as a half dozen characters in addition to himself in every episode.
The chameleon-like performer is now in Hollywood auditioning for a number of roles, putting together plans for a new live tour and participating in the development of a film project based on his Red Ronny Rocker character.
He is also intrigued by the idea of spinning off Mark and Chad Jackson into their own TV vehicle. "I could pluck those two characters right out of it (the current show) and they’d probably have enough stuff to last six episodes or so," he says.
Wherever Crawford shows up next, he’s sure to bring his sense of humour with him. |
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