Improvention 2011 - Part 1
Improvention 2011 - Part 1
Thursday, 8 September 2011
Every year a flood of improvisors plunge inexorably towards Canberra, like lemmings towards a cliff. And like the humble rodents, the improvisors cannot help but answer the call of Improvention.
Instead of a cliff, the improvisors plunge over a precipice involving alcohol and lack of sleep. This is a trial that not many pass, but the smiles on their faces as they are swept to their doom inspire generation after generation to follow in their footsteps.
I arrived in Canberra, or as I call it Ice Station Zebra, 24 hours hours ago, was picked up by a fine gentleman called Troy and deposited at the street theatre. A few quick hellos and I'm into the jam section of the evening.
First impressions - there's a hell of a lot of performers involved in the festival. There's such a huge range of talent, skill and enthusiasm from around the world in attendance just for the jam. This isn't even considering the huge number of people coming in during the rest of the week.
The jam evolves into a mini-showcase of the upcoming convention. Philipe Ortez, Randy and Rama Nichols tear up the house with a Pippi Longstockings scene, Per & Kettil from Sweden do a fantastic musical number (backed up by a bevy of beautiful impro chicks), Nat Bochenski busts out a Jack the Ripper inspired historical scene.
With so many people, it's tough to give everyone a chance to strut their stuff.
Then comes the first night of socialising. A quick trip to a local microbrewery, and a quick round of catch up / try to remember the improvisors name.
Then, back to the palatial apartment that I'll be sharing with the charming and soft spoken Rohan - dangering it up for Tasmania. Honestly, we could fit a family of 5 comfortably in the digs assigned to batching impro-lads.
The next day, after a fine, but enshortened nights sleep, I roused myself and was spirited back to the Street Theatre to give a presentation about the state of Edge Improv. I really didn't know what to say, and being first up in the morning really didn't, help the energy levels of the crowd :-)
This was followed by presentations by Sherbet Underground, Impromafia, Rohan, and oth folks ... I can't remember too much right now. This was also followed by a cool chat with Per (with Kettil providing a soundtrack).
After a dumpling good lunch, with some quick card trading and the like, it was off to my first workshop.
Of course I had completely forgotten which workshops I had signed up for, so as I started my first workshop with Rama Nicholas, a cold chill ran down my spine as I realised that it was exploring romance and intimacy. Two things I don't have a good handle on normally.
I ended up having a great time, even though I had to break my promise to my wife to not song any female improvisors while I was away (though I think I'm still clear on the male front).
That brought me to the end of my first 24 hours in Improvention, but so much more was to come.
Oh boy.
Actual Improvised performances in Canberra... rare photographic proof.