Jim Ricks won’t share the tragedy that leads to the final scene in Holliday and Moore presents Dancing with Fish.
Apparently you have to attend the show to see the scene where the two-man show “turns a corner.”
Holliday and Moore present Dancing with Fish stars Ricks and Scott Smith with Ann Sorensen on sounds.
“We have something like 40 sound cues. It has to have split-second timing, be totally focussed,” he said emphasizing her role in the comedy. “She has had a steep learning curve and she’s been very helpful. She’s pretty tuned in to what’s going on.”
The show has made audiences laugh, and think at fringe festivals in Port Alberni and Nanaimo.
“These are two guys who meet by chance, they are guys of an indeterminate age,” Ricks explained. One is fairly introverted, the other outgoing and boisterous.
“When they meet on the subway, there’s this music comes on, the song “Rescue me. Moore jumps right into it and starts dancing and Holliday has to be encouraged,” Ricks said. “That’s the start of their relationship that’s based on games … that’s the core of their relationship.”
The friendship builds and develops but Moore is competitive, and he does something to Holliday that breaks their relationship. Moore’s ensuing epiphany inspires the origin of the Dancing with Fish title. He makes restitution, they become friends again and grow old together.
“Then we see them well into their 80s and they’re living in a senior citizen residence,” Ricks said. “The whole thing is, it’s a very funny story about a developing friendship. A friendship that lives indefinitely.
Ricks and Smith, who portray the pair, are also active clowns with the non-profit organization Sunshine Clowns that presents the show. And while they use clown-like elements, “it’s not a clown show,” Ricks said.
Holliday and Moore present Dancing with Fish is on Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Oak Bay United Church 1355, Mitchell Rd. with featured opening act, The Carolina Bluebirds. Tickets can be purchased from at Ivy’s Book Store or at the door for $12.