If you think improvisation is annoyingly wacky or always features someone with a borderline personality disorder pretending to shoot everybody à la Michael Scott during his impro class in the American version of The Office, you might like to see The Impro Cave because one of its stars claims it’ll be a revelation, and a nice one at that.
According to Rik Brown, who has been involved with The Impro Cave since it began five years ago; “it’s generally a pleasant surprise…the level of performance that we try to give to an audience; most people leave pleasantly surprised and have their idea of improvisation reworked a bit.”
Over a drink at a bar in the northern suburbs of Melbourne, Rik discussed many of the facets of improvisation including formats, genres and the inevitability that something a bit naughty will be yelled out if the audience is asked to name an occupation.
Along with getting the chance to say the word, tee hee, “prostitute”, attendees also get the opportunity to give a director a piece a fruit depending on the quality of the act they’ve overseen.
While a raspberry might be more appropriate, the name of this part of the show is “Gorilla” so only a banana will do.
Such interaction between the audience and performers is part of what Rik believes is the non-coercive nature of the production.
That is, you won’t be forced to do anything you don’t want to do if you see the show.
Given the nature of improvisation, it’s also guaranteed to be a different experience every night, especially if the lads from the footy club come one night and the ladies from the Country Women’s Association come the next.
Regardless of who turns up, Rik made the following assertion:
Improvisation gives audiences a very specific experience, and generally it’s a positive experience for all the audiences that come.
The Impro Cave is playing at the Don’t Tell Tom Bar and Café at 420 Sydney Road, Brunswick from June 17 to August 26th. For booking details, check Impro Melbourne’s website. Rik said the venue has a fireplace. Of course, he could have made that up on the spot. Presumably, bananas will be provided.