Impro
Theatre ACT

"World Premiere" & "Adult Theatre"

Nick Byrne - 15/04/2008

Improvisation is a bunch of people who think they're funny doing short skits, right? Wrong! OK, so improvisation groups create family shows that would only deal with adult themes on the level of innuendo, right? Wrong!

The last weekend of April sees a festival of wild new concepts in improvisation, as two of the greats of the genre visit Canberra to perform in three very different shows.

International doyen of improvisation, original member of Calgary's famous Loose Moose Company, and now, Artistic Director of Impro Melbourne, Patti Stiles, joins eight times Cranston Cup Theatresports Champion and Tropfest Finalist, Murray Fahey, to headline the breakthrough performances.

"The Bump Out" is the title of two late-night world-premiere longform improvisations, following The Street Theatre's "Berlin Cabaret of Desire". A theatrical disassembly line, the concept is a one-hour express train-of-thought. A cast of six starts at the end of an untold story, and then attempts to reconstruct a plot full of sex and scandal, truth and lies, music and mystery, accompanied by musical improviser, Peter J Casey. The audience sits caf'e-style, right on the stage, and enjoys bar-service. No short-form sketches, here. Two completely different stories, so audiences can safely come to both nights.

Alternatively, "Bedroom Scenes" untames local improvisation, exploring everything that can happen in a bedroom. This show will have the usual short sketch format, but will be entirely uncensored, so don't bring the kids to this one. Stiles and Fahey will also guest at this show, as will Canberra comic, Geoff Setty.

"The Bump Out" is just $15, from 10:30pm, Friday April 25th and Saturday April 26th. "Bedroom Scenes" is $18 or $15 concession, from 7:30pm on Sunday April 27th. Tickets for both shows are available from The Street Theatre box office, by phoning (02) 62471223.

See Ruth Rogers-Wright at Impro Bingo this weekend

Nick Byrne - 25/03/2008

Stop Press!

Singer and Jazz cabaret diva, Ruth Rogers-Wright will make a special appearance at Impro Theatre ACT's "Impro Bingo", this Sunday, March 30th, 7:30pm, at The Street Theatre.

See Ruth improvise with the crew and YOU, creating jazz on-the-spot, with digital looping technology. Now that's impro!

Also, catch guest comic, Kale Bogdanovs! Not one, but two special guests!!

And of course play impro bingo for completely appalling prizes! Look out for your game card later in the week, or turn up for a fresh one, but BOOK NOW, because we're in the samller space at The Street Theatre, and seating is limited.

BOOK NOW on 62471223

Stark Raving Theatre

Nick Byrne - 11/02/2008

Master comic improviser and storyteller, Nigel Sutton, will mark a welcome temporary move to Canberra, by guest starring in Impro Theatre ACT’s first show of the 2008 season, “Stark Raving Theatre” on Sunday, February 24th at The Street Theatre.

Nigel’s career on stage and screen has taken him all over the world, but he is probably best known by Canberra audiences for his work at the National Museum of Australia in “The Dora Ray Davenport Show” and as the outrageous storytelling “Robbie the Rat”.

Sutton has also been intrinsic in the popularity of improvisation seasons, hosting the Grand Final of Impro Australia’s tournament of Theatresports, The Cranston Cup, performing in The Comedy Hotel’s long running Improzac, and making regular appearances as his well known exuberant character, “Krispin K”.

“Stark Raving Theatre” is the title of both the first show of The Street Theatre’s impro comedy theatre program and for the entire 2008 season.

“We’ve have literally the world’s best improvisers visiting, this year, and we plan to launch our season with a showcase of many of the styles we’ll present throughout the year”, said Nick Byrne from Impro Theatre ACT. “Stark Raving Theatre will be high-energy and hilarious – ideal for lovers of Thank God You’re Here and Whose Line Is It, anyway”.

Tickets for the show are available from The Street Theatre box office, by phoning (02) 62471223 Adults $18. Concession $15. Performance starts at 7:30pm.

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