People laughed so hard their faces hurt.
That was the review of the last production of the Enema Awards after it ended its six-year run in 2005.
The good news is that the popular variety show, presented by area health professionals, is slated for a comeback tour at the Charles Bailey Theatre on March 12 at 7 p.m.
“There has been lots of talk over the years of bringing it back,” said Jody Pistak, show organizer and Interior Health patient safety consultant.
“But Janet Fisher really got the ball rolling and kept it rolling.”
“I just missed the last Enema Awards,” said Dr. Fisher.
“But the legend remained, seven years later the mere mention brings smiles to people’s faces.”
After tracking down a CD to see what the mythic event was all about, Fisher said she too began to smile just thinking about the show.
With the assistance of past organizers, Terry Jones, and Marg Kempston, Pistak, Fisher and Dave Scott, a respiratory therapist, are bouncing around funny ideas and looking forward to sharing the energy with the audience and community.
The theme of the show was finally settled, and is being called “Irreverent and Irreverent”, said Pistak.
So far, 20 acts are rehearsing, and Pistak promises that the audience will be laughing along with “old faces and new faces.”
“There is a great roster of skits and entertainment from seasoned Enema players and newcomers. The skits are all really funny, with some music and dancing as well.”
At one time, in addition to the comedy show, health-care workers provided a forum on health services, information and community awareness, which was the point of the whole thing in the first place.
A few skits were thrown in to make it light and get people to come, said past organizer Terry Jones. But eventually, people didn’t want to bother with the information, they only wanted the skits.
This year, the show does include a bit of education, said Fisher.
Without spilling the beans too much, she hinted at “fun around a CPR lesson,” and it might not go exactly as the doctor ordered.
“We actually have a handout on hands-only CPR. We thought maybe some doctors in drag would add to the learning experience,” she joked.
The resurrection of the Enema Awards promises to tickle the funny bone, but in preparing, the participants have experienced an added side-effect.
“This has been a great way of engaging physicians and staff,” she said.
“The fun-raiser has brought people together from all departments who normally don’t get the opportunity to work together.”
Tickets are $15 and on sale now at the Charles Bailey box office or in the foundation office at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital.