One of Vancouver’s best-kept comedy secrets is back. Wednesday night (April 27) at China Cloud (524 Main St.), two of Vancouver’s top comics make fun of wrestling in the semi-regular evening Ring a Ding Dong Dandy.
This Wednesday, local comedians Graham Clark and Ryan Beil will riff on wrestling clips. This instalment of Ring a Ding Dong Dandy will also pay tribute to Chyna, Japanese wrestling, and Hulk Hogan’s acting abilities (or lack of same). The show starts at 8:30 p.m.
We asked Clark, who also hosts the Laugh Gallery Monday nights at Havana Restaurant (1212 Commercial Dr.), a few questions about Ring A Ding Dong Dandy.
Q: Where did the idea come from?
A: Ryan and I were reminiscing about watching wrestling as children and Ryan suggested we try it as a show. He said “what if we just watched classic wrestling clips and provided running commentary?” We tried it out and it was such a blast, so we continued doing it.
Q: Are you really a fan of wrestling? If so, which period/organization?
A: I am! I kind of stopped watching it as I became an adult, but then I went and watched some live ECCW wrestling, and I realized, this is just too much fun. Been a fan ever since. My favourite era would be the ’80s and ’90s, but I think every era has some real gems.
Vancouver comedian Graham Clark.
Q: Is there something inherently funny about wrestling, whether pro or amateur?
A: I think comedy and wrestling have a lot in common. Most of the wrestlers I’ve met are very funny. When I was younger there was a show on TV called Wrestling With the Past where old wrestlers told stories of their time on the road, it was so great. Ravishing Rick Rude is one of the funniest people who ever lived.
Q: Do you and Ryan Beil ever wrestle?
A: We try some holds.
Q: Any words of tribute to Chyna?
A: Chyna was a force and could go toe to toe with any of the male wrestlers in the sport. She was deemed the 9th Wonder of the World by the WWE for a reason.
Tickets to Ring a Ding Dong Dandy are $5 at the door.
