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Background
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Irwin Barker is a comedy writer and performer with a clean and clever comedy style crafted from years of experience in comedy clubs, festivals and theatre performances. Originally from Winnipeg, Irwin is currently working as a staff writer for the award-winning Rick Mercer Report, and spends the off-season working out of Toronto where he is in considerable demand as an after-dinner speaker and comedy entertainer. Prior to Writing for The Rick Mercer Show, Irwin spent several seasons as a staff writer for "This Hour Has 22 Minutes." Irwin is a regular writer/performer for CBC Radio's "Debaters" series and has appeared in numerous radio and television comedy specials including CBC's Comics, Western Alienation, Comedy Night in Canada, The CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival and Just for Laughs International comedy festival.
Irwin was nominated for a Gemini award in 2004, 2005 and 2006, as well as for a Canadian Comedy Award in 2005 as part of the writing team for "This Hour Has 22 Minutes." Irwin was also nominated for a Gemini award in 2005 in the category of individual comedy performer for his performance at the CBC Halifax Comedy Festival. |
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Approch to Humour
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| Irwin
Barker's approach to humour can be
described as an analytical and unexpected
approach to everyday life and work. Irwin's
success on stage is linked to a unique
stage persona which is very much a
reflection of his academic and professional experience. His
comic persona has been described as "cleverly thought out
introspection... a delightfully analytical
approach to life and work. " Combined with a friendly and
noticeably relaxed stage manner, Irwin
has delighted audiences wherever he performs. Audiences
from all walks of life have responded
positively to his refreshing style
and material.
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Overview
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Irwin has several television and radio appearances to his credit, including CBC's "Comics" a Vancouver-based CBC TV special entitled "Western Alienation", a hockey comedy special entitled "Comedy night in Canada,' several appearances writing and performing for CBC Radio's "Debaters" and several appearances at Comedy Festivals in Halifax, Winnipeg amd Montreal.
In addition to writing for "The Rick Mercer Report" and "This Hour Has 22 Minutes", Irwin was the winner of a National Screen Institute prize for a short film entitled "North Grove", a short children's comedy. He has also written extensively for CBC Radio and is currently writing short films as well as a feature length comedy.
Irwin holds a Master's Degree in Sociology and is in the process of writing a book on the philosophy of humour. The book, entitled. "Humour and the Human Spirit," explores the meaning of humour in contemporary culture and deconstructs the essential elements of humour to show how it is a vital and constituent part of the human experience.
Audience members going to see Irwin can expect a crisp, clean and intelligent performance.
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