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Adelaide Fringe

Review: Theatresports – Clash of the Theatre Titans

Adelaide Fringe

Take four teams of performers from various shows at the Adelaide Fringe, two judges, one compere and 200 audience members – then see what happens. ★★★★½

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On the face of it, it could be a recipe for disaster, but the reality is quite the opposite. This is improvisation at its very best.

Many readers will be familiar with the popular TV show Whose Line Is It Anyway? What Theatresports does is similar, but without the ability to edit out the takes that don’t work.

On stage there are two buckets containing location and object suggestions from the audience. Throughout the show, the performers can choose to use these to add direction to their chosen scenario, often with hilarious effect.

The diverse objects and locations at the performance this reviewer attended included the London Underground, a space station, Stonehenge, a shrub, a purple T Rex and a 50-cent piece.

One team struck comedy gold when “Margaret” was plucked from the audience.

The team was attempting to act out a true scenario where Margaret – who I don’t think would mind being described as a senior eccentric – was run over by a driver running a red light. If the actors got the detail correct, she would blow a harmonica; if they got it wrong, she blew a toy horn.

What could possibly go wrong?

Similarly, 11-year-Ben was volunteered to go on stage and become Mono (Spanish for “monkey”) the wrestler. Forget the adage of never working with kids … he was a star.

No two shows are ever the same, yet I’m always impressed by the high standard of the improvisation of Theatresports performers.

Last weekend’s show was a sell-out, so if you’re considering seeing it, don’t procrastinate any longer. (It’s worth noting that Clash of the Theatre Titans is a family show and therefore suitable for all ages.)

Four-and-a-half stars

Theatresports: Clash of the Theatre Titans will be presented again by ImproNOW! at Palace Nova (Rundle Street) on February 21 and 28 and March 6.

 

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