If we do one thing well in this city, it’s comedy – and this long-weekend, I can tell you exactly where to find it. Montreal ComedyWorks presents the Girl on Girl on Girl Comedy Show on October 10th, a self-described ‘lesbo-centric’ stand-up event starring three fabulously funny femmes. Headlining the evening, comic DeAnne Smith (formerly on NBC’s ‘Last Comic Standing’ and The Comedy Network) will be joined by Montreal comics Robby Hoffman (of Montreal Fringe Festival fame) and Jessica Salomon (a war-crimes lawyer turned comic); the evening will be appropriately hosted by dynamic drag queen Marquise. We had a quick chat with Jessica to learn more about Montreal comedy and this Girl on Girl on Girl trio.

Currently, you describe yourself as a ‘war-crimes lawyer turned comic’. Who isn’t these days, amiright? (har har) How do your previous career experiences influence your comedy?
I’ve actually been looking to start a ‘war-crimes-lawyer-turned-stand-up-comic’ support group. The idea would be to come up with relatable comedy material based on our previous career. So far it is just me. On stage, I do bring up my old job from time to time, but usually the audience thinks I’m just kidding. In a general sense, I think that life experience is important to comedy and the more unique your life experience the more unique your perspective. So yes, it is a trajectory I highly recommend if you want to get into comedy.

How did the Girl on Girl on Girl Comedy show come about? What factors brought you all together?
DeAnne (Smith) wanted to put on a gay-themed show, and there were three of us: DeAnne, Robby (Hoffman), and myself that um, fit the bill. There’s a lot of comedy that’s unique to lesbians and lesbian relationships and we thought there was an audience for that. Also, gay ladies really like to go to places where they’ll find other gay ladies. Guys also like to go to places where gay ladies are meeting other gay ladies, and straight girls sometimes aren’t really that straight … so it’s a win, win, win. Come to think of it, we probably should have gotten GayDate.com to sponsor this thing.

Like the three of you, Montreal is also quite gay and hilarious at the best of times – how does performing here compare to other cities?
Are you referring to the medieval sword fights on Mount Royal? Those are pretty hilarious and kind of gay at the best of times. Montreal as a city has a great sense of humour – it doesn’t take itself too seriously. As far as the English comedy audiences go, I don’t see a big difference between Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa, though. I actually expected people to be more uptight outside of Montreal, but in Toronto, I’ve played like three different pot rooms (venues where people are allowed to smoke pot). Seriously, they have those. Montreal doesn’t have those – Vancouver doesn’t even have those! Overall, the biggest differences are probably between city audiences and suburban/rural audiences. So far though I haven’t ventured to places like Ajax or Thunder Bay. I know – what am I waiting for?

Ajax obviously doesn’t know what it’s missing. For all the gay-comedy newbies planning to attend on October 10th, what final pieces of advice can you offer?
Drink alcohol, expect to laugh, drink alcohol, wear something hot, drink alcohol. I hope I haven’t missed anything. Did I mention drink alcohol?

Done and done.

8:30pm. Tickets $12.
1238 Bishop St (corner St-Catherine)
514-398-9661

–Interview By Tyler Yank
–Photo by Susan Moss