2024 Fringe Festival Review: 960 Months and Counting…

960 Months and Counting… is a one-man show performed and written by André Roy. Roy, who is 80 years old (or 960 months), takes the audience on an intimate ride through the story of his life. Roy’s masterful storytelling transforms seemingly ordinary experiences, from his childhood in Delmas, Saskatchewan, to his radio and television career. 

From the second he appeared, it was obvious this man belonged onstage. It was hard for me to believe he was 80. He was constantly racing around, speaking and gesturing with the passion and energy of a teenager. Roy began his story in childhood, with his experiences of boarding school and his struggles with academics. He eventually moved on to his career, and his experience in radio, theatre, and television. 

While Roy’s life may not have seemed exceptionally exciting on paper, his enthusiasm onstage brought even the most mundane stories to life. With the help of his comedically-timed slide show, Roy brought humour to every aspect of his upbringing. There was plenty of tongue-in-cheek commentary on the Catholic Church, and mischievous winks to the audience. In this way, Roy brought a giddiness and silliness to his not always cheerful life. 

Not only was the show about Roy’s experience as a bilingual goofball trying to make his way in the world — it was also a love letter to the theatre. When Roy struggled academically as a child, he found solace in the theatre. Despite his father prohibiting him from attending the National Theatre School in Montréal, theatre was always present in Roy’s life. It influenced his work in both radio and television, and he starred in numerous productions throughout his career. As a lover of theatre, the passion he possessed as he described his love for the stage brought me to tears. 

This show proves that theatre is for everyone, no matter your age or abilities. It demonstrates the beauty of theatre, and its ability to take a negative and turn it into a positive. It shows that even if you are 960 months old, you can still get up and show an audience a good time. If you love great storytelling and want to feel as if you’ve befriended André Roy, this show is for you. 

960 Months and Counting… is playing at the Fringe Festival until August 25.