The Routine is a mime and physical theater solo about a disillusioned office worker who is stuck in their routine until they find a magical portal in their bathroom mirror. The emotionally charged solo performance uses silent theatrical art to tell the story through physical gestures, movements, and facial expressions along with a soundtrack and lighting work that help make the setting and immerse the audience.
Joylyn Secunda started writing The Routine during the pandemic, while they were taking online mime classes on Zoom. “In that process, I was learning a lot of techniques and wanted to create a project,” said Secunda when asked how it started. “It started as a 5-minute show and had a really positive response.” When asked about the process and if the absence of dialogue made the production more difficult, Joylyn responded, “The idea of the character came from the limitation of no text. Narrowing the possibilities gives a lot of freedom.” Joylyn Secunda performed their comedy solo at the rEvolver Festival in Vancouver (May 2024), and at the Adelaide Fringe in Australia (March 2025) and is now performing at the Montreal Fringe Festival.
The show begins with an office worker’s repetitive routine – waking up tired, road rage, stepping in poo, long days at the office waiting for the time to pass by – reflecting the character’s pessimistic view of life. The show takes a sudden turn when the popping of a pimple opens a portal through their bathroom mirror that leads them, along with the audience, into a magical world full of obstacles and creatures.
Secunda is an incredibly talented performer who embodies drowning, bathing, and enjoying the feeling of the sun, all while solely relying on their body, music and lighting. They at once portray a vicious snake coiled around its prey and the humorous mating of two birds, leaving you impatient to see what comes next.
The Routine is a hilarious immersive experience that leaves the audience in laughter but also incredibly moved and inspired by the character’s new outlook on life after their journey through the portal into the magical world. “The main character goes through relatable things,” says Secunda. “I hope it inspires people, especially those that feel like they’re in a rut, or stuck in their life. Maybe this show will inspire change in their life, see the beauty in every day.” It is a wakeup call about how easy it is to get sucked into the banality of urban life, reminding you to take the time to listen to the birds, smell flowers, and simply enjoy rather than bear life by doing things you love.
Passionate artists like Secunda are a reminder that art can never be a routine, that like their magical world, it is always changing and full of surprises. Indeed, although the show itself has been performed multiple times, Secunda constantly changes their performance since each audience participates uniquely in comedic skits like helping a bird Secunda give birth to a giant egg.
Overall, The Routine is a must for anyone who likes physical theater. The performance was sometimes weird and funny, other times uplifting. It immerses the audience into Secunda’s world during the full 55 minutes and afterwards continues to leave the audience reflecting about the performance.
The Routine performances are taking place June 10th, 11th, 12, 13th and 15, 2025 at the Montreal Fringe Festival. Get more information and buy your tickets here. For those who are interested, the star of the show, Joylyn Secunda, is also giving mime workshops here in Montreal, teaching fundamentals, physical comedy, and improv, on June 7th, 28th and 29th, respectively. The Montreal Fringe continues until June 15. Tickets for all shows HERE. To see our previous reviews, check out Meat Factory : Mommy, and Homecumming.
