Creator: Wasteland Improv
Director: Peter Leaman
If the world was ending what would be the one thing you’d want to survive? Perhaps the obvious answer might be “me and my extended family”, but the random response picked out of the hat at Tales from the Wasteland’s review showing was “noise-cancelling headphones”. Wasteland Improv’s task in the subsequent 50 minutes is to incorporate the chance audience suggestion into an improvised end-of-the-world adventure comedy.
The show blurb promises “no pre-prepared characters, story or dialogue”. Video game and post-apocalyptic TV drama Fallout seems to be a prime inspiration for at least this showing’s iteration. In this version an underclass of apocalypse survivors ekes out an existence in bunkers hidden deep underground, surviving on scraps of food discarded from “high-ups” (those who stayed on the surface when the apocalypse hit). Occasional outside raids to a magic mushroom patch supplement the bunker survivors’ diet and add spice to their weekly silent disco.
Up top, the high-ups face their own battle for survival. Sinister mutant Lord Eagleman, whose scream brings instant death to anyone who hears it, rules over the calcified land with claws of iron. High-ups Gary and Pete undertake a quest to find legendary eagle killer “Old Man Beans” in the hopes of taking out the pesky Lord. For his part, Eagleman wants to procreate and the human mammals hiding in the bunkers seem like the best place to find a mate. Who will survive the impending showdown?
The hard-working cast of seven (including improv stalwarts Pete Leaman and Emma T) work hard, offering up flashbacks, dodgy accents, and broadly satisfying comic happenings. Tales from the Wasteland offers plenty for improv fans to enjoy. The show blurb also references Mad Max and The Last of Us. Given the improvised narrative changes every showing you may also get to enjoy zombies, road warriors, raiders and cannibals.
Runs until 18 August 2024
Camden Fringe runs until 25 August 2024
