Dating for Dumbheads - Hamburg Hilarious, Loveable Clown Character

East Vancouver storyteller, musician and clown Jim Sands takes us on a whimsical trip through a day in the life of a not so attractive plus-sized German man-boy, Hansel. He is on a quest to find a girlfriend in Vancouver. Having a companion means everything in Hansel’s shy life. Firstly it will help our simple and sensitive character set his parents back home in Hamburg at ease, but also to reassure himself that there is a soulmate for everyone.

This one-man play was written and directed by Gina Bastone, and in 60 minutes, she has found a refreshing, humorous, and hyperbolized way for Hansel to blame almost everything that is wrong with this world on “Stephen J. Harper”—from Kinder Morgan to the dying of our bee population. In a world that has been de-flowered by Twitter, Facebook and Google, where can one expect to find the truth, love and an honest politician? Today's “internet activists” seem so impotent. Like hitting the ‘like’ or ‘share’ button to rally behind your favorite cause just doesn't seem to relieve anything. Will writing a letter to Harper help? Maybe David Suzuki is our guy?

The only way to endure the chaos and political strife around Hansel is for the lovable protagonist to find the love of his life. Someone who shares his quirky twists, angsts and passions. But how? Sign up for a profile on the social dating site “OK Stupid” of course. Where you can be honest about who you are and what you want. Where you can find someone who hates Harper as much as you do. Maybe this clown, and his new love can save all the “Boo-Bees” (wink) of the world?

Not a dull moment in this funny-fresh, loveable play. A simple set with great sound and song. Sands' portrayal is witty and fun. It’s easy to get behind this guy and cheer for him on his quest for the perfect woman.

By Christopher Steffler