PUNCH UP: Chester playhouse tour (2025)

Written by Kat Sandler
Directed by Birdie Gregor

Touring from Cape Breton Island, comes a hit from the Highland Arts Theatre: Punch Up!

The Funniest Man Alive tries to make the Most Pathetic Man That Ever Existed make the Saddest Girl in the World laugh. Toronto’s hottest playwright (credits include: SUCKER, WILD WOMAN, & Dora-Winner MUSTARD) returns to Cape Breton with this darkly comic love letter to comedy.

Starring: Wesley J. Colford, Nick Porteous, and Hilary Scott

OUTSTANDING: Production, Ensemble, Direction, AND winner of “Patron’s Pick” —NOW Best of T.O.

WINNER OF Best in Festival at the 2014 Toronto Fringe & 2015 Atlantic Fringe

“Gives the best TV comedies a run for their money.” — NOW Magazine.

“Sandler’s script doesn’t even give you a chance to catch your breath from one joke before you’re onto laughing at the next one.” —Mooney on Theatre

“BUCKLE UP. A hilarious and surprising antidote to sadness.” — Doktor Luke’s Blog 2017

DSC_4524-Edit smol.jpeg
DSC_4504-Edit smol.jpeg
DSC_4487-Edit smol.jpeg
DSC_4516-Edit smol.jpeg
DSC_4534-Edit smol.jpeg
DSC_4536-Edit smol.jpeg
DSC_4496-Edit smol.jpeg

CAST & CREW

  • Nicholas Porteous (he/him) – PAT WALLACE

    Nicholas Porteous (he/him) – PAT WALLACE

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    Punch Up (Pat Wallace), The Curious Case of the Watson Intelligence (Merrick), All in the Timing (Trotsky/Various), A Mirror (Bax), Hairspray (Wilbur Turnblad)

    Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
    The Tape Escape (Outside the March), The Perfect Bite (Netflix/Secret City Adventures), Romeo and Juliet Chainsaw Massacre (Bain and Bernard), Luna, Chip & Inkie (Epic Story), Company of Heroes 3 (SEGA)

    Other:
    Thanks for thinking of me Wes. youtube.com/@ihaveadegreeinfilm

  • Wesley J. Colford (they/them) – DUNCAN

    Wesley J. Colford (they/them) – DUNCAN

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    Spelling Bee (William), Punch Up (Duncan), The Sea Shanty Show, Here Comes the Sun, The Producers (Leo Bloom), She Loves Me (George); The Wakowski Brothers, A Christmas Carol, Heart of Steel, Dream, Disco Nights, She Loves Me, The Drowsy Chaperone, As You Like It, Jack and the Beanstalk, Funny Girl, Hairspray (Director)

    Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
    Jersey Boys, Annie, Matilda the Musical, Into the Woods, Nutcracker (The Savoy Theatre), Hamlet (The Boardmore Playhouse, CBU)

    Training:
    Sheridan College Musical Theatre Performance, George Brown Theatre School

  • Hilary Scott (she/her) - BRENDA

    Hilary Scott (she/her) - BRENDA

    Favourite HAT Credits:
    The Beloved (Julia), Punch Up (The Saddest Girl in the World - 2015 Atlantic Fringe; Winner of BEST OF FEST), Dream (Puck), HERSTORY (Marilyn), Criminals in Love (Director)

    Favourite Credits Elsewhere:
    Genesis & Other Stories (AFtT Theatre), Heart of Steel (Factory Theatre), for TV: Odd Squad (TVOKids), Frankie Drake Mysteries (CBC)

    Training:
    George Brown Conservatory

    Other:
    You can find Hilary’s artwork for the HAT as well as other personal works/commissions

    on Instagram @hilhob

  • Kristen "Birdie" Gregor (she/they) - DIRECTOR

    Kristen "Birdie" Gregor (she/they) - DIRECTOR

    Kristen Gregor, affectionately known as Birdie, works throughout Canada as an actor, stage- manager, and director. While Birdie spends most of her time in Montreal with her boyfriend Ted and their dog Wally, she is also frequently on tour in Toronto, Ottawa, or her hometown in Cape Breton, NS. She has recently taken on the role of producer and founder at her newly fledged theatre company. Playshed's first production, COCK was nominated for 'Outstanding Independent Production 2016' at the Montreal English Theatre Awards.