4th
Breakfast is an evasive meal: By NEXT ACT FESTIVAL
I just got home from a trip to poutine heaven, La Banquise. Ahhh la Banquise I say in my riddled prairie accent, the best place to bring out of towners for poutine I think. And a beautiful walk home along the park.
Poutine is also the best way to celebrate… AN AMAZING SHOW!!!!! WOW! WOWEEEE! The Next Acters tonight did La Ronde which is a format following characters through different scenes. Hard to explain, but each improviser had two scenes they were in, they played the same character and it all took place in the little town of “BLACKSTONE”, famous for it “UNDERWEAR FACTORY” he he. underwear. We actually made it a clothing factory.
It was an amazing night of improv. To sit and watch these people be so intimate and generous and wonderful to each other on stage, when two days ago they were strangers. They were making bold and growing choices. There was a scene between a crooked crop and ruthless business woman. There was an oath that was climaxed with stabbing a sewing needle into the heart. There was home-made sequels of Titanic!!!!
We had been working all day on character, relationship and environment and the festival ensemble really used it to their advantage.
This group has so many different styles apparent in it and yet somehow they make it work together, really, really really well.
I laughed so hard, and felt inspired and proud and awed all at the same time. As a teacher you like to believe you perhaps said something to help someone along the way… but i feel more so in this process that I got to be present at something amazing. What these improvisers are bringing to each other, is much more than i could ever teach in two days time. They are learning from playing with different styles, different characters. And I believe some of these people will be big players in the Canadian Improv scene for years and years to come.
We have one last show tomorrow night. And I will be terribly sad to see them all leave. Even though they relentlessly tease me about being “drunk improv mom”, whose a bit crude. I will miss these wonderful improv people who stick duck ands roosters down their pants hoping they will mate to create the evilest of foul… the DOOSTER!
These people who play evil business minded roosters on stage who are plotting to take over the town.
These people who weave metaphor of diamonds and badges, lust and love and law all together to create a majestic poetry to delight your ears.
These people who can charm the Tokyo wait staff faster than you can take a shot.
It has been an absolute amazing three days and I hope to see you tomorrow to check out their last show!!!!! Saturday June 4th! Montreal Improv Theatre!!!
Kirsten
