★★★★★ “pure magic” — THE LIST (UK)

The Routine

Death of a Salesman meets Mr. Bean… A lonely office worker squeezes through a portal in their bathroom mirror and goes on a quest for the meaning of life in this surreal physical comedy. The mundane becomes extraordinary as each vignette and dance takes you deeper into a whimsical world of illusion. The Routine will leave you in stitches and remind you of the magic within.

★★★★★ “To watch Joylyn Secunda in action is to breathe the same air as an utter master.” — Edmonton Journal

Audience Quotes

  • "The Routine is a masterclass in mime and physical theatre, where Joylyn effortlessly embodies a modern-day, non-binary blend of Pee-wee Herman and Mr. Bean. With astonishing precision and creativity, Joylyn crafts a vivid, immersive world that pulls you into their unique clown universe. Their performance is a captivating rollercoaster of hilarity and depth, leaving audiences both entertained and profoundly moved. Joylyn's talent is nothing short of extraordinary, making The Routine a must-see for anyone who appreciates the art of physical storytelling."

    — Angelica Schwartz, Neworld Theatre

  • “The Routine is one of those rare pieces where the balance between meticulous craft and soaring imagination is perfect. I left the theatre profoundly moved, impressed, happy.”

    — Miguel Fernandez

  • “Watching the show, I was awash with the human condition. Its beauty and joy.”

    — Olivia Etey, OR Festival Artistic Director

  • “I was more than happy to discover the clean and precise work of Joylyn here in Montreal. The Routine is a well written, sharp and funny mime solo.”

    — Yves Sheriff, Cirque du Soleil Casting Director

  • “When the critic/theorist Jan Mukařovský claimed that what we seek in art is not beauty, but “vitality” – he could have been referring to Joylyn Secunda's amazing performance of "The Routine" that had me transfixed for the entire 50-minute journey of this unique talent's mastery of the body! and the surprising power to transport an audience to laughter and tears and all the mundane necessities of life in between. Joylyn has opened a portal of impossibilities with what can only be called generosity and love.”

    — Tom Konyves

  • “The Routine transcends mere entertainment. … a revelatory experience that will linger in the mind long after the final bow. I am forever changed.”

    — Shoy, Associate Producer at Made You Look Media

  • "The Routine manages to access a certain kind of truth that lives inside of us all. Secunda makes us see their fully realized world as clearly as we would have as children playing make-believe."

    — Chloe Edbrooke, CBC Radio Producer

  • “We absolutely LOVED The Routine! We were immediately transported into a magical world, and by the end, it felt as though time had stopped: we'd been so fully engaged and in the moment, connected to the characters. It is a transformative experience to be part of and we came away feeling uplifted and inspired by the compelling story. We haven't stopped raving about the show to our friends. Joylyn's incredible physical artistry, humour and ability to communicate through mime, left us grasping for words to adequately describe the memorable experience of being in the audience for this unique show.”

    — Diana & Andrew Clark, Musicians, Music Educators

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Creative Team

Joylyn Secunda: co-creator, performer, sound designer, producer

David Secunda: co-creator, director

Linda Arkelian: movement coach

We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.