Daniel MacIvor's Your Show Here: A Heartfelt Homage to Longtime Writing Partner
Daniel MacIvor's new solo show, Your Show Here, stands as a profound love letter to his friend and longtime collaborator Daniel Brooks. The production, which premiered in early 2026, serves as both a theatrical exploration and a deeply personal tribute following Brooks' death from lung cancer in 2023. MacIvor and Brooks had collaborated on eight shows together, making this solo venture a daunting yet necessary journey through grief, anger, confusion, and fear.
The Framework of Collaboration and Loss
MacIvor structures Your Show Here through multiple narrative approaches, including detailed explanations of how he and Brooks worked together. He shares their major rules for creating a show, discussing twelve key principles that range from finding the correct poster and title to more emotional guidelines. These rules transition from clever and humorous to poignant and heartfelt, particularly in a version MacIvor refers to as Good. With subtle changes in vocal tone, MacIvor effectively communicates the profound pain he experienced following his friend's passing.
Storytelling Through Shared Grief
One central rule involves finding a compelling story, which MacIvor discovers through his own experiences attending the Shiva, or mourning period, for Brooks. He recounts meeting a woman whom Brooks had encountered during chemotherapy treatments, revealing their shared anger at Brooks for not surviving when she did. This moment creates a devastating realization not only for MacIvor and the woman but, through his poignant delivery, for the audience as well.
Comic Relief Amid Emotional Turmoil
The narrative follows MacIvor as he returns from Toronto to his home in Nova Scotia, navigating a small airport where he finds himself first off the plane due to traveling in business class. His brief, almost apologetic explanation for this circumstance provides one of many comic gems that punctuate the show. Further humor arises when MacIvor encounters a closed toll gate at the parking lot, with a note explaining the concierge is assisting passengers disembark from the airplane.
What ensues becomes hilariously chaotic as four other cars line up behind him, introducing distinct characters through brief but memorable encounters. The eventual appearance of the concierge, portrayed as an unhappy individual who suggests MacIvor hasn't been completely forthcoming, adds another layer of humor grounded in relatable reality.
Exploring Anger and Allegory
MacIvor openly acknowledges his anger following his friend's death, culminating in a powerful scene where he lashes out at a stranger. This moment serves as a visceral demonstration of the hostility that can accompany profound grief. The authenticity of this airport parking lot incident remains intentionally ambiguous, as MacIvor explains that stories and characters often emerged during deep collaborative work with Brooks. This suggests the episode may function as an allegory, albeit a particularly pertinent one.
A Continuing Creative Partnership
In the show's program, MacIvor credits Brooks with directing Your Show Here, describing this as more than a beautiful gesture. He characterizes the production as a ghost story, with Brooks' spirit genuinely guiding the creative process. This reflects the incredible working partnership that even death cannot destroy, highlighting the enduring nature of their artistic connection.
Visual and Technical Excellence
MacIvor receives significant visual support from designer Kathryn Smith, whose work on the production, particularly the lighting design, proves remarkably effective. These technical elements enhance the emotional resonance of the performance, creating a cohesive theatrical experience that honors Brooks' memory while showcasing MacIvor's artistic evolution.
Your Show Here ultimately transcends traditional theatre to become a meditation on collaboration, loss, and the creative process itself. Through humor, pathos, and raw emotional honesty, MacIvor crafts a tribute that celebrates both his friend's legacy and their shared artistic journey.
