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Disclaimer:
The reviewers' opinions are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheatreLouisville.org. |
Peer Reviews The Irish Hill Improv Festival
Comedy improvisation strikes me as a very scary business. Occupying a stage with no script and very little structure and attempting to make people laugh must require some special courage on the part of a performer willing to take on the challenge. To accomplish it demands certain talent and great confidence. These qualities were on display in abundance this weekend during The 1st Annual Irish Hill Improv Festival. It was hosted by a veteran local group, The Louisville Improvisers, who are Chris Anger, Alec Volz and Joshua Lane. Following improv tradition and taking their cues from audience members, they displayed the quick wit and fertile imagination that must be the stock-in-trade of any good comedy performer throughout a loose and funny 45-minute set. One of the most interesting aspects of watching such a performance is the on-the-fly decisions that the group employs to structure the evening. Like jazz musicians the three men play off of each other's ideas and actions, lifting or alternating the rhythm or tone and finding the right moment to stop and change direction so that the audience is constantly challenged to keep up. If a bit isn't working, it barely registers before a member will move in with a fresh idea to keep the ball in the air. In the final piece, an audience member is brought onstage to describe his or her day so far, a mundane exchange made funny through Chris Anger's scabrous wit, but it is merely the setup. The group then used those events as an outline within which to build a concerto of silliness that brought tears to my eyes. The second half of the evening was given over to members of the legendary Los Angeles based improv troupe, The Groundlings. This is the second time this year that they have traveled to Louisville to perform with The Louisville Improvisers, and it is a tribute to their local hosts that they were eager to return. For more than 30 minutes, Kevin Berntson, Jordan Black, Candace Brown, Stephanie Courtney and Colleen Smith delivered a master's class in improv technique, creating myriad bits and pieces of comedy gold with quicksilver timing and endless invention that were a pleasure to witness. The quick and agile manner in which the members communicated with each other was fascinating, and it easy to see why this group has given birth to so many stars throughout its illustrious history. Here's to next year's festival!
The Irish Hill Improv Festival Posted Sept. 7, 2008
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