Old haunts from Open Heart Theatre / Couch Improv / 4 One Night Only
Tonight was a treat for the seasoned improv theatre goer. Two brand new formats and one format I have never seen before from Couch Improv. To kick us off was Open Heart Theatre assembled from the hang, a local improv group. This was a brand new format known as old haunts, involving some scene painting from two spirits of a transformed space that used to be something else. In this case the old haunt used to be a fire station and is now an art center for troubled souls.
Open Heart performed some entertaining scenes, while the spirit members paused the action to do some scene painting bringing more history and life to the space, from what it used to be when it was a fire station and what it now is. Four characters had good chemistry and there were some heartfelt and amusing scenes.
Next up was Couch Improv with a standard harold format , the original long form created by Del Close. They took a one word suggestion, which was freedom, that sparked off some fascinating scenes including the guy who had the hots for his captors, a very anti-semitic Mel Gibson and a teacher who taught failure. Very funny scenes. Their second format took its inspiration from tracks people have added to their spotify playlist, an example was Nena's red balloons song. There were some call backs to earlier scenes and some great characterisation. The devil made an appearance at some point, with an offer of taking someones soul for an Uber.
Last but not least was 4 One Night Only - a local night of long form exploration featuring some bright talents from the local improv scene. The concept was a live radio episode of the famous fictitious fifteen year old soap opera North Eastenders. I wonder where the name inspiration came from?
Several stock characters were used, but expanded on throughout the two episodes, we saw one current and one classic episode all improvised. Firstly set in several locations all suggested by the crowd. Most actors played several characters, which was sometimes confusing, but entertaining, especially when characters had conversations through the same actor. Highlights include several women giving birth and an affair that ends in disaster. Both episodes end on cliffhangers as you would expect. Great stuff.
www.newcastleimprovfest.co.uk
Remaining workshops :
Friday 2nd August
Improv comedy 12-2pm Alphabetti Theatre 16+ £10.50
Jason Perez improv masterclass Alphabetti Theatre 2-5pm Adults £18-£20
Saturday 3rd August
Stella Duffy Improv for writers Jurrys Inn 10-5pm
Laughter yoga with Melissa Alphabetti Theatre family friendly 12-1pm £5.50-£7
Improv for beginners Alphabetti Theatre Adults 2-4pm £12-£15
Sunday 4th August
4 hour film challenge Alphabetti Theatre 12-4pm Adults £20
Remaining shows :
Friday 2nd August
The Suggestibles comedy Alphabetti Theatre Adults 16+ 8-10pm £10-12.50
Nerdfest's pissed up podcast Adults 16+ 10.30-11.30pm Free to Suggestibles ticket holders
Friday 3rd August
Picture this Seven stories Family friendly 2-3pm £4.80-£6
Suki Webster's guest speaker Adults 16+ 7.30-8.45pm £7-£8
'Aspects of...' The Suggestibes with Suki Webster and Stella Duffy musical improv Adults 16+ 9-10.15pm £7/£8
Double bill £11-£13
Nifty disco with DJ Paula Penman music and dancing 10.30pm-12am free for Guest speaker or aspects of shows
Sunday 4th August
Say what? improv jam Adults 14+ 4.30-6.30 pay what you feel.
Other than that see you all next year!
Frank Cromartie Murphy
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