Culture

Fortune Theatre Studio, (4/5).

Comedy/Improv/General GCs Antisocial Tap have provided the Dunedin scene with a much needed injection of funny over the past few years. Their improvisation wing has really taken off, so to speak, and now has a new home at the Fortune Theatre Studio. Being “Late Night Improv”, the show starts a little later than most comedy/theatre in Dunedin but provides a perfect cap - or start - to a Friday night out. The improv is long-form, meaning there is a main story that all the improvisers try to flesh out over the course of the show, with the audience providing helpful suggestions.
 
The theme of this show was IMPROS 11 - a heist tale, à la Ocean’s Eleven. From his base in Stewart Island, Scott and his team had to steal a train from Smith, who had journeyed from his native Ireland to show off his one-of-a-kind locomotive at a railway convention. The story began brilliantly, with an exceptional scene between Scott and Pulham in which the basic plan was drawn out in front of the audience. It flowed very well and was a great introduction to the story.
 
Little by little the rest of the team came into subsequent scenes, adding characters and content to the story. There was everything – drama, affairs, fluctuating accents, stunts, a car bomb and plenty of laughs to be had.  What more could one ask for? The improv team is composed of a very funny bunch of people, but they are also very clever and thus able to create stories that are not only funny but also sustaining.
 
I thoroughly enjoyed myself, however I will say this; the team need to work on wrapping things up. I felt like the show went on for maybe 20 minutes more than it should have. I do enjoy twists, but one will do thanks. I’m sure though that this will be being worked on as we speak while Improsaurus prepare for their next show on August 12 at 10.30pm at the Fortune Theatre Studio, “Love or something like it”.