Created by: Leamprov
Reviewer: Lela Tredwell
This show is made up of fast-paced improv games. Much of the laughter is created from the
ludicrous scenarios and silly structures. Games include activities such as having to play out a
scene in shorter and shorter time frames, a version of chain charades and a game where a
performer guesses his own excuse for arriving late to work… He trod in dog faeces and travelled the distance in a cold air balloon.
The group hail from Leamington Spa and all seem to enjoy this short form style of improv, throwing themselves in to task after task. The audience too laugh along as the group are given more and more silly things to do by the host.
The host is very fast talking and sometimes talks quicker than his brain can keep up. Is this strictly necessary? The frenzied pace matches the time restraints and hurried nature of the games. The host hails from the school of improv that insists on taking the first suggestion he hears which leads to the sadly inevitable suggestions from the most forthcoming audience members of ‘toilet’, ‘dog shit’ and ‘gynaecologists’. Unfortunately, some better suggestions are not taken because the host says the people suggesting them are not quick enough. This leads to having to watch two male performers examining each other in ludicrous positions four times as they repeat the game as requested and finally end up yelling a slang term for vagina at each other while in what could easily be seen as a rather culturally inappropriate stance.
In what is the finale of this set, the most high stakes game is introduced. Participants have to tag each other in and out of the scene, while the person ‘out’ has their head submerged in a bucket of water. The three performers involved tap their side leg at a quicker and quicker pace to indicate their running out of breath. It’s a tense and extreme style of improv that may not be for the faint-hearted as we wonder whether this is the place a performer will meet a real end in the pursuit of improvisation. As a result of this unusual device, the scene is repetitive nonsense.
If you are into death-defying improv, fast paced performing and silly short comedy sketches this could well be the show for you. This is a light-hearted fun show that does not require much from its watchers but some suggestions and applause.
Reviewed on 15th May
The Reviews Hub Score
Fast-paced
