Everyone can use a good belly laugh. Right now until May 26th, The Number 14 playing at the Centaur Theatre is a rollicking bus ride that everyone, including your 10-17 year-olds will enjoy. People are always searching for ideas on how to spend quality time with their children, and what better way than to introduce them to live theatre. This one will tickle everyone’s funny bone.

Wearing masks evoking the Commedia dell’Arte in the 16th Century Italy, six actors turn themselves into 60 characters found on a city bus. Who hasn’t enjoyed people watching on a bus? This parade of humanity – trying not to fall asleep, getting dressed for work,  magazine readers, chatting girls, elderly, germophobes, teens singing,  graffiti artists, butt cracks, and kids on a field trip, are encountered daily on a commute.

The ride includes pratfalls, acrobatics, sight gags, mime, dozens of costume changes (some right before your very eyes), and song and dance routines; Even the inevitable abrupt stops and starts of a bus, gets turned into silliness. You will never be able to eat a cheese doodle again without smirking.

The Number 14 is a Canadian success story. Written collectively in Vancouver and originally directed by Centaur’s artistic director Roy Surette, it has toured the world, including two runs on Broadway. After 20 years, Montreal will be  its final stop.

This is true family fare that everyone, of all ages, can relate to. What are you waiting for – go book some seats before the bus leaves!

Location: Centaur Theatre, 453 St-François-Xavier
corner: Notre-Dame
Tel: 514-288-3161
Dates: until May 26
www.centaurtheatre.com