The monks who reside in the hilltop monastery have always lived in total isolation. When the Abbott ventures into town, two medieval brothers take the opportunity to invite a wagon full of strangers to their austere abode. Trying to complete their tasks of counting lentils, caring for their donkey, and keeping the monastery standing becomes the quest of a lifetime. Accept the invitation and join the monks on a journey for a good time in this shockingly dumb interactive clown show featuring magical realism, live music, unbridled chaos, and every interpretation of the word ‘ass’.

​​“When I first saw MONKS, I didn’t know what to expect. It looked weird, it looked like fun – it looked like a secret party! – and I am pleased to report that all those initial impressions were dead on. […] The artists’ talent, their vision, their absolute commitment to absurdity, and the fact that the show’s (non-invasive) interactive nature will always change depending on who is in the house – these things make MONKS a must-see (more than once, if you can swing it).” -LIZA PAUL

Veronica Hortigüela and Annie Luján are Dora-award-winning actors, clowns, and theatre creators. They have been friends and collaborators for over 15 years, with a shared passion to infuse modern clowning into Canada’s theatre landscape. Fully developed by the duo, MONKS marks their debut as directors, creators, designers and performers in their own work. This absurd, raucous and rollicking clown show serves as a testament to their commitment to play, audience and the ridiculous.

Veronica Hortigüela (she/her) is a Scarborough-born and raised actor, clown, and playwright. She holds a BFA from TMU’s Theatre Acting program. Performance credits include: Feast (Tarragon), The Bidding War (Crow’s Theatre), Bremen Town (NextStage, Dora Nomination – Best Ensemble), Prodigal (Crow’s Theatre, Howland Co.), Casimir and Caroline (Howland Co., Dora Award – Best Ensemble), Little Women, Every Little Nookie (Stratford) and Dry Land (Cue6).

Annie Luján (she/her) is a Dora Award-winning Costa Rican-Canadian actor and clown. She is a graduate of the 2022 Soulpepper Academy and Concordia University. As a clown, Annie has trained/worked internationally in Italy, the U.S., and across Canada. Her credits include: A Little Closer (The Vault, Coal Mine Theatre) Last Landscape (Bad New Days, Buddies in Bad Times), Peggy Pickit Sees the Face of God, King Lear (Soulpepper), Comedy of Errors (The Grove) and Storybook Search (Bad Hats).