Four Out of Five Audience Members Recommend DSS Daydream
It might seem impossible to bottle laughter, but if there ever was a place you could do that, it would be at the Baby Grand Theatre during this year’s production of DSS Daydream. Forming a comedy special is no easy feat, but thanks to the stacks of hilarious Queen’s students script submissions, Dan Studio Series co-producers Connor Houghton and Halli Hood had no problem crafting a production of pure lively fun. A Night at the Fruit Saloon by Devon Mahoney, The Slow Lane by Giselle Castillejos, Bubblegum Theatre by Jonas Jacobson, and Pirates and Prejudice by Annalise Lunn, though vastly different in genre and content, were all united by this theme, and together they make for a night of laugh-out-loud theatre.
To start the show, the audience spends A Night at the Fruit Saloon, a bar in the middle of the Wild West. Directed by Michaela Tassone, the story follows cowgirl Sally (Olivia Buchanan) as she hunts down a wanted criminal, hoping the reward will give her the means to leave her bounty-hunting days behind. She’d like to start a new life in the city alongside recently-acquainted cowgirl Maggie (Sophia Ingalls). Set in such a stereotypically masculine backdrop, this sapphic romance feels especially refreshing, offering plenty of chances to poke fun at both classic Western and lesbian tropes. The exaggerated gestures and physical comedy give the play that nostalgic Wild West feeling, from the cartoonish eavesdropping and circling standoffs to the hilarious exchanges between the bar owner (Brody Moulson) and customer (Izzy Fulford). The cast are so committed to their roles that within minutes, they had the audience hooting, hollering, giggling, and cooing at their performance.
For those of us who have gotten our driver’s permits, we know the struggles that come with the treacherous and terrifying G2 test. The Slow Lane, directed by Morgan Blackwell, follows Penny (Kate Popiel) as she faces the trials and tribulations of this road test with one unusual disadvantage: her examiner happens to be her ex-boyfriend, Ryan (Hayden Crompton). For a play that mostly takes place inside a moving car, the cast innovatively and humorously brings the action to life, showcasing parking, lane changes, and three-point turns. The tension between the characters is delightfully funny while still leaving room for genuine emotional moments. Additionally, the other two road test examiners (Ebony Elliot and Piper Clapp), though not the main focus of the play, provide most of the comedic relief. Watching the two wordlessly tease Ryan like middle school boys was absolutely hilarious and the highlight of many scenes.
We’ve all seen those commercials where four out of five dentists recommend a product, but what about the fifth dentist? Directed by Sarah Doyle and Caitlyn Pringle, Bubblegum Theatre dives right into that question as Miranda (Cree Small), the world’s biggest gum fan, goes head-to-head with the mysterious fifth dentist (Dolev Klein Harari). Of all the plays in DSS Daydream, this one featured the most audience interaction, using it to blur the line between stage, audience, and even behind the scenes. The show begins with Miranda’s gum-lover monologue, citing the statistic that four out of five dentists recommend sugar-free gum, when the fifth dentist sitting in the audience abruptly stands up and furiously disputes it. Small delivers her lines with infectious enthusiasm, making audiences want to believe in the wonders of gum, while Harari matches her energy perfectly, opposing the greatness of gum chewing with the dark future of periodontitis. They blur the line even further when Miranda chews out a third party—the LX operator (Charli Birdgenaw). The collaborative energy between the three actors, combined with them roaming the audience, asking people if they floss and telling them to smile wide to inspect their teeth, made this a thoroughly entertaining and unique performance.
In this comedic retelling of the classic Pride and Prejudice, the piratey Bennet household finds itself in trouble after kidnapping two of the wealthiest bachelors in town. Directed by Brianna Rodrigues and Sophie Holt, the production stays true to Austen’s story, keeping all the major plot points, but adds sword fights and pirate ships. Emily Nevison, playing Lizzie, brings her character’s independence and wit to life, perfectly complementing Christian Gael Salas Caldera’s pompous and slightly awkward Darcy. Joey Harvey also stands out, capturing Bingley’s wide-eyed optimism, and his accent change when playing Lieutenant Collins is both hilarious and a clear audience favourite. Of all the productions, Pirates and Prejudice has the least comedy and the most action, but is still a thoroughly enjoyable watch.
From cowboys to pirates, from bubblegum to road tests, DSS Daydream offers a delightful variety of plays that showcase the creativity and hard work of everyone involved. The cast members across all the shows seem very comfortable with one another, and that sense of community extends to the audience. People chatted and laughed before the performances, the atmosphere felt relaxed, and the actors fed off the audience’s energy throughout the night. It’s the kind of experience that reminds us why live theatre is so special.
‘DSS Daydream’ runs at the Baby Grand Theatre from Oct 28-Nov 1, 2025. More information about the show and tickets can be found here.
