An Improv Review
Satire
Satire
An Improv Review
Originally presented in October 2024 at Lightning Talks,
a social event enjoyed at the 2024 New Zealand Improv Festival.
Artist: Glenn Seaby
From Liz Talbot’s private art collection.
A Review of Your Improv Show
Improvised theatre - or “improv” - is theatre that is entirely made-up on the spot. That is why, as I entered the theatre, I thought to myself “Could this really be improvised?” That is not something I would do. As I sat down, I let out an incredulous giggle as I pondered over the fact that I’d just paid money for a ticket to a show that hadn’t even been rehearsed.
Of course, I’d grown up watching Whose Line Is It, Anyway?, so I did understand improv. I was very much looking forward to laughing heartily at some classic Colin-and-Ryan-style hijinks.
As the lights dimmed and the show began, we were greeted by a host who solicited some suggestions from the audience. One brave soul offered a word of inspiration, and it served to inform a performance that had never been seen before - because it was entirely improvised.
“I suppose that is the nature of “Improv”. You cannot guarantee what will happen, because it is improvised.”
There are elements of the performance that worked, and some that did not. I suppose that is the nature of “improv”. You cannot guarantee what will happen, because it is improvised. I can’t really say whether it was great, because I’ve not seen anything like this before. There’s just no method to assess whether the performance was great. What I do know for a fact, though, is that it must take a lot of courage to step out onto a stage without a script, and that courage should be commended.
If you’re a fan of improv theatre, I’d definitely suggest snapping up tickets to improv theatre.
This production was a one-night-only performance.