by James Twaites
Maybe you’ve heard of improv. Maybe you haven’t. Here’s the gist: people make up plays as they perform them live in front of you. It’s pretty great, and I recommend it. Getting out to the theatre for your “cultural education” can feel like hard work, and it feels easier (and cheaper) to stay at home and watch six consecutive episodes of —insert running sitcom—. Although —insert character— is oh-so relatable and funny, it’s no substitute for getting out there and experiencing theatre.
This is why improv is a good culture fix; it isn’t homework. No one will make you watch it, you aren’t expected to take away a life lesson or gain a better understanding of your place in the universe. Granted, sometimes good improv is transformative, but it’s not why people go to see it. We go to see danger. Like a tightrope walking act or a roller-coaster, improv gives the sensation that something could go wrong at any time (and it does). When groups of people make up stories on the spot, sometimes it doesn’t work. Here’s the thing, that is what makes it interesting. You see the players adjust in real time to the unexpected, and like a good game of sports, the outcome is discovered by the audience and the players together.
“Enough talk”, I hear you say. “When and where does this happen?”
I’m glad you asked. Here are some cool improv crews and events that run in Vancouver.
Grad School Improv
Grad School Improv is a collection of current and past UBC improvisers who perform at Seven Dining Lounge (53 West Broadway) from 8:00pm-10:00pm every Sunday for only $4! That’s less than a grande mocha! Every week you’ll see a collection of fun games, scenes, and some bigger long-form pieces.
10 Speed
10 SPEED is a monthly improv show that features Vancouver’s finest improv groups doing 10-minute sets on the first Tuesday of every month. If groups exceed their allotted ten minutes, hosts Tom and Devin disrupt their sets in boorish, uncouth ways. In the past, disruptions have included live crabs, flying sharks, burlesque dancers, and pizza-eating dogs. The show makes it home at the China Cloud Theatre – 524 Main Street.
Instant Theatre
Instant Theatre also runs its shows Sunday nights, starting at 9:00pm at the Havana Theatre (1212 Commercial Drive). Shows are $8, and extra great. Instant Theatre has popularized several show formats including STREETFIGHT and CAGEMATCH. Don’t worry, they aren’t as scary as they sound. Instant Theatre is better known for its classes and workshops. Check them out online and enroll if you’ve ever wanted to give it a try!
The Sunday Service
This weekly show features two halves of fast paced, absurd and hilarious improv The first half is a mix of classic/reinterpreted short form games, performed in the group’s unique style. The second half is Long form story-telling improv combining high energy scene work, characters, and interwoven stories. This happens every Sunday at 9pm at The Fox Cabaret, 2321 Main Street. It’s $7 bucks, which is the best value for entertainment you’ll ever get.
They’re all good. Pick one at random. No wrong answers. Go do it. It will be fun, and when September rolls around, come see UBC IMPROV on campus every other Friday at 7:00 in Scarfe 100. Go watch some improv, it’s fun, and it’s good for you.