Comic returns to Pictou County for show at Glasgow Square

“It’s a special day of the year,” he said. “The first time I did standup was 22 years ago on April Fools’ Day, 2000. That’s not by accident I chose this day, so if they want to come out and hear the ultimate fool, this is the place to do it.”

Anthony’s style and content relate in a sardonic way to world affairs.

“I would say it’s basically social commentary with a lot of satire,” he said. “I want to have something to say about the world and how I deal with it. Hopefully, people will understand where I’m coming from and they do here. It’s a good time.”

The show is timed to precede his act at the 2022 Halifax Comedy Festival that starts on April 27 at Casino Nova Scotia.

Since his debut more than two decades ago, Anthony has risen through the ranks of Canadian comedy, touring extensively. He has performed on television, including his own special, and appeared at festivals, such as Montreal’s Just For Laughs. He has also been based in Toronto. However, Halifax continues to appeal to him, and it drew him back to Nova Scotia. So did the travails of COVID-19 and its severity in and around Toronto.

“I’d count it as a personal change, not one I made professionally,” he said. “I had it in my heart to come home. With COVID, it was time to move everything back. Pictou County is where I grew up and is my real home but everyone comes to Halifax and feels at home. I’m a Bluenoser again.”

Anthony cherishes the Halifax Comedy Festival, but he’s generally encouraged with the comedy scene in Halifax.

“I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the comedy scene here,” he said. “There are probably 30 or 40 people doing comedy here. It’s really good. There’s so much stuff I can tap into.”

Anthony is not entirely certain how his schedule will evolve after the comedy festival, but he said he’s looking forward to a time when comics like him have steady work and get past the downside of shows being repeatedly cancelled.

“Beyond that, it’s wide open,” he said. “A lot of comedy tours are opening. It was virtual, but I believe live event comedy is going to be really big.”

Tickets for Anthony’s show at Glasgow Square are $25 and are available online. Doors open at 7 p.m.