“Can you tell them that I did a good job?”

– Daniel “Iceberg the Spiceberg” Charpentier

Last week, Skule Nite executives begged staff from the Toike Oike to watch an advance screening of the 3D version of the show. Overall, the show really lacked depth, mostly since the Toike Oike lost our 3D glasses in the Great Sandford Fleming Flood of 2018.

The fancy black tie dress code was a little surprising, especially considering that the theatre turned out to be in a grungy basement. As far as grungy basements go, this one had slightly fewer health code violations than that one bar. You know, the one in the basement.

Once we entered the theatre, we were impressed by the theatretype things we found inside. The set was certainly structurally sound, and the costumes were costumed very professionally. The lights were blazing and the audience was present too, which was a nice touch.

It’s really wonderful to see such an established group of arts and science students come together to make a show, and be so inclusive to the few engineers involved with it. The best actor by far was engineering student Little Johnny, an eight-yearold all the way from Toronto, Ontario. Although he only had one convincing line (“track one, best one”), he stole the heart of the audience with his underwater mini-tuba solo.

Based on the promotional photos, I had the impression that Skule Nite was a modern retelling of Macbeth set in gangland Chicago, when it actually turned out to be a fresh take on Turkish oil wrestling. It was a surprise to be sure, but a welcome one.

The plot was a little too thicc for my taste, but enjoyable nonetheless. I was surprised with the twist ending during the classic “Skule Nite Boss Fite”. Cast member Phtephen Stawe, playing the role of Barry Short, confronted the boss who was offering Short cookies to join his cult. Short accused the boss of killing his father, and I was completely S H O O K when the boss then unmasked himself and said, “No, Barry, I, Jonathan Swyers, am your father.”. I haven’t seen a twist ending like that since Star Wars!

If you like fireworks, acrobatics, and excessive anti-engsci jokes wrapped up in a Circus de Soleilstyle show, you’ll love Skule Nite!

The show runs from March 14-17 at Hard Hat Theatre, and you can watch it if you like watching things.