The Happy Place: What Robin Williams Means to an Improvisor

By: Aaron Alexander

Robin Williams

The shock came and the sadness lingered. The tributes have all been written, read and shared. The issues have been debated back and forth by people with wildly varying levels of basis for comment. And now, people, broadly speaking, are moving on.

But I know that from now on, every time I step on stage, I’ll remember Robin Williams.

I’m lucky enough to perform improvised comedy, which puts me in a similar relationship to Robin as to Argentinian striker Lionel Messi - we play the same game, same rules, same tools, but only one of us can make you re-evaluate the limits of human potential while doing it.

On the other hand, I reckon scoring a goal gives me the same joy as it does Messi (if not more, as he actually does it with presumably monotonous regularity). And I think I know just a little of the feeling Robin Williams had when he was in the Happy Place: on stage, with a live audience, in free flow, riding waves of laughter.

All of us who improv live for moments in the Happy Place, where you’re in tune with each other and the audience, and a creative chain reaction can occur.  While we live for it, on stage Robin Williams just lived in it. He had a direct connection, an all access pass, he could see the matrix, hear the music of the spheres and conduct it from an inflatable throne in his bouncy castle in the kingdom of fools.  And he will always rule there, like a trickster god of ancient mythology.

If you watch his early work – and you must –  alongside how funny he is, you’ll notice one other thing: how much he loves the audience. He wants to connect with them as individuals, share a moment, push their buttons, do whatever it takes to tickle their fancy. In his 1978 Live at the Roxy special he arrives on stage through the audience and within minutes he’s back among them, literally climbing the walls to get to more of them. They are his material.

One of the basic principles of improv is to say ‘yes’ to everything that comes your way. Take any offer as inspiration, and build on it. Robin Williams had a boundless capacity for saying ‘yes’ to inspiration. And he could find it almost anywhere – a light fixture, an audience member’s hair, a piece of set, an awkward body position – any offer could spark a character, a voice, a line. And the speed…everyone talks about it. To work at that speed there’s simply no room for fear or self-doubt.

And most importantly, he’s so transparently, blissfully happy in those moments. Yes, I know, cocaine and so on, but that’s not what I see in his performance (even if that’s what he felt he needed to get there in those days). I see joy. And it’s his generosity with his joy that lifts us up. His is not a comedy of cynicism, the stand-up with biting observations puncturing complacency. His is the inner child given absolute permission to run free in a world of infinite possibility. Part Genie, part Peter Pan.

That joy in play, in free creation, I don’t believe it ever left him. He worked with the famous Second City improv company before he was famous. Years later, a global superstar, he could turn up backstage at a Second City gig to perform – not solo, but sharing the stage and scenes, generously, with young improvisors. You don’t do that unless, purely and simply, you Love the Work.

As we all know now, there was a darkness inside him as well. On one hand it may have given him the power to deliver dramatic performances that stunned the world with their weight and raw intensity. No one expected Mork to win an Oscar. On the other hand, it was a darkness powerful enough to overwhelm the light within him. But while we must learn from the sorrow and the tragedy, that should not be the legacy of a man who spent his life spreading happiness across the globe.

We all have our memories of Robin Williams. To those of us who are driven to walk on stage with no script and no safety net, he will simply always be the master. We’ll try to squeeze and channel just a few drops of the creative quicksilver that ran in his veins. We’ll hope that maybe one day in a scene we’ll hear his voice in our heads, Obi Wan-style, saying “Go for it. Climb up there. Do that voice. Don’t think, go with it. Just say ‘yes’, goddammit!”

I’ll always be grateful that he walked among us, that he made us laugh, and cry, and love him.

He was the Greatest of All Time.

Vale, magister ludi.

Aaron Alexander was scheduled to write a DOTW blog post about The Improvisors Go to the Movies (7pm SUNDAYS, August 10 to October 5), but following the tragic passing of Robin Williams, no other subject for a blog about comedy improvisiation seemed appropriate.

www.circa.co.nz

Theatresports 2014: half way through the season!

The NZ Comedy Festival may be over, but the glooms of winter are still being driven back by the flames of live comedy at Circa Theatre every Sunday night. The Improvisors are half-way through their season of Theatresports. It’s a format that many people will have seen – two teams of players create short improv comedy scenes as they compete to win points from the specialist judges and the audience. What keeps the whole thing fresh is new performers, new games and - above all else - the fact that every scene is driven by ideas contributed by the audience.

Over the first three nights of the season, our players have used those audience suggestions to create scenes involving everything from a Mothers’ Day celebration at an underwater hockey pool to an encounter between the Apollo moon landing crew and a Russian astronaut, from a reggae song about sausages to (possibly taking first place in the “We really didn’t see this one coming!” stakes) a scene based on an audience member’s memories of filling out a Mexican tax return.

While audience participation is the fuel of the show, it’s the players who get put on the spot, not individual members of the audience. If people want to call out ideas for a scene – excellent! If they prefer to sit back and laugh and applaud as they see fit – also excellent!

The shows are family-friendly, both in their content and in their timing – they kick off at 7:00pm and finish around 8:30pm, which makes them a realistic choice for those who have to think about work/school/just getting out of bed on Monday morning.

So – let The Improvisors help you to get through winter! Back up your flu jab with an injection of improv! Theatresports – Sunday nights at Circa at 7:00pm through to June 15.

To book tickets for Theatresports, visit www.circa.co.nz or call the Circa Box Office on 801-7992.

Theatresports Freestyle: Explained

Improvisor Greg Ellis explains to drama on the waterfront the concept of Theatresports Freestyle.

Theatresports, as most people know it, is a series of short improvised games. It's the most popular type of improvisation and when people think of improv, Theatresports is the word that's always top of mind. But it's not the only improv format.

In the last couple of years The Improvisors has performed Improv Cage Match. It's a format that has been around the world of improv for years under a variety of different names. The basic idea behind the format is that there are 2 teams who can play whatever they like. The only limitation is that of time. Each team has 30 minutes of stage time. This time is divided over 3 rounds. The teams can divide this time however they like over those three rounds. So one team could play rounds of 15, 7 and 8 minutes while the other team could play 2, 20 and 8 minutes. After each round the audience is asked to vote on which team they liked more in that round. The winning team gets one point per round.

That's all very well but what sort of improv do the teams do during each round?

They do whatever they want. The idea behind this format is that teams can play to suit their strengths. They can play Theatresports games if they want but they can also create their own formats or just improvise something with no structure at all.

In the last couple of seasons we've seen improvised musicals, a fantasy movie, a gangster story and a current affairs show featuring 3 different mini-documentaries. Players love the format. It really gives them a chance to try new things and push the boundaries. It creates great play.

The format is also a great way to feature guest performers and in this season we hope to feature many of the Australian performers that will be in town for the NZ Improv Festival.

And it's had a name change. Improv Cage Match made the show sound a little sweaty, violent and low rent. Hopefully Theatresports Freestyle makes it clear what the show is all about. It's all the family fun of Theatresports (and maybe with some of the games you love) but it also features the freedom that comes when performers play with no rules at all.

- Greg Ellis

Theatresports Freestyle starts 25 August and runs every Sunday at 7pm until 13 October. To book, call the Circa Box Office on 801-7992 or visit www.circa.co.nz. 

The Improvisors' present Comic Heroes

Wonder Woman! Superman! The X Men! Spider Man! What do they all have in common? Yes,yes, apart from their amazing super-powers .... ? It’s obvious – not one of them is a Kiwi!

The Improvisors take on the challenge of plugging this gap in the NZ workforce in their 2013 International Comedy Festival show at Circa.

What special powers will our heroes possess? What challenge (anywhere on the spectrum from world-threatening to mildly inconvenient) will they be called on to solve?  Will they be able to see what they’re doing with their masks on?

Frankly, we don’t know – but that’s the point. Each night you, the audience, will come up with a fresh set of answers to these and other questions and we, The Improvisors, will make up a brand-new 90-minute show that will be driven by your suggestions. Drama, comedy, action and special effects that will take at least some of your breath away!

Don’t miss this chance to see some of Wellington’s top improv comedians! Five nights only from Tuesday 30 April to Saturday 4 May at 7:30pm.

To book, visit www.circa.co.nz or call 801-7992.

The Improvisors' Theatresports for Kids!

Two teams. One match. The judges: YOU!

How often do you watch a sports match, wishing you could decide the outcome? Watch a movie, wishing you could have helped make it, because you had heaps of better ideas? Well, wish no more, because we’re bringing the power to YOU!

Want to see a scene about puppies? We can do that. Prefer a story about a gallant knight and his horse and their adventure to find treasure? You’re the boss! Every time one of our Theatresports teams gets up on stage, they’ll come to you for ideas and suggestions that will determine what kind of stories you see. And it doesn’t stop there - we’ll also come to you afterwards for your judgement and score. You decide the winner... you decide the loser... you decide the whole game! How cool is that? It’s the best of two worlds - theatre and sports - and you are the master of both!

For too long the power of entertainment has rested outside of the audience. For too long have you been subjected to stories that you’ve heard before, that you’ve seen before, that you already know the ending of. No more will you be expected to sit quietly in your seat, a passive spectator. This school holidays, drag your ma and pa along and help the Improvisors create the show that YOU want to see.

THEATRESPORTS FOR KIDS!

22 April – 4 May
11am and 1pm Mon – Fri, 11am only Sat, no show Sun 

The Improvisors have created a theatresports show especially for kids – just like Who’s Line is it Anyway - Theatresports for Kids is a show for 8-12 year olds that brings all the theatresports games of our family favourite Sunday shows to the School Holidays! No previous experience is required to join in the show – just enthusiasm, imagination and a sense of fun. And it’s not compulsory to join the show – our shyer audience members are welcome to watch the stories unfold and laugh! Why should grown-ups have all the fun?

To book, call the Circa Box Office on 801-7992 or visit www.circa.co.nz.

Improv Cage Match: Half way through the season, and it's on like Donkey ... Kong

A word from Improv Cage Match competitor, Kenny "The Kong" King:

Oooohhh Yeeeaaahh!! It's here and its on!! We're half way through the season of Improv Cage Match and I've got a few words for some of my 'competitors'. Mostly, DON'T BOTHER! You pencil necks really think you're funnier than me? You will soon see that Kenny "The Kong" King will reign supreme! Let's take you apart one at a time, shall we? 

Firstly, that scrawny wing-nut "Howling" Ian Harcourt. I've seen more funny on an Inland Revenue refund form! Your time has come and gone, old man. It's time to roll over and let the new generation show you how it's done. Your old school is LAME!! 

As for that buddy of yours "Gargantuan" Greg Ellis. The only thing gargantuan about this clown is how much of a clown he really is. And I don't mean that in a good way! Go back to teaching theatresports games to 13 year old girls, cause that's where you belong!! 

And on your way you can take Richard "Flying Fists" Faulkner with you. He makes a morgue look like Comedy Central. Last week he tried to do as many games as he could inside the squared circle and nearly killed everyone with boredom! 

Oh, and I see Deana Elvins has come crawling back after taking time out to have some babies. You're out of practice, lady, and out of your depth! 

Well, that about takes care of the "Old Guard", now what about the young bucks who think they can front up and usurp my rightful position as King of Cage Match. Jimmy "O, Dear" O'Donovan, I believe, is still pooping yellow and I'm pretty sure I heard him crying for his mummy after we last met. Do us all a favour, kid, and just stay home. 

Jonothan "Pretty Boy" Price, do you really want me to rearrange those pretty comedy values you hold so dear? Cause that's what's going to happen if you keep pushing, boy! 

Gareth "The Rage" Ruck, and "The Tank" Pete Doile, you guys don't even warrant a mention! 

I know my loyal "Konginators" will be rolling up to Circa every Sunday night at 7.30pm until the 7th October to watch me, their hero, annihilate this so called competition and become the true King of Cage Match. I'm sure there are also a legion of fans out there who want to support me, Kenny "The Kong" King but just don't know how. It's easy, just rock up to Circa and purchase a ticket. If you want, you can make banners, signs or just through money at me. So if you want a night to remember come along and watch me tear these pretenders a new one. A word of warning though, if you want to sit in the front row you may want to wear a rain coat as some people have come away splattered with my talent. It tastes awesome but it may stain clothes!

Photo left to right – Richard “Flying Fists” Faulkner, “The Tank” Pete Doile, “Howling” Ian Harcourt, Thom “The Thumb” , Kenny “The Kong” King and “Gargantuan” Greg Ellis

Improv Cage Match is every Sunday night at 7.30pm until 7 October, to book call the Circa Box Office on 801-7992 or go online www.circa.co.nz.

Ugly Stepsisters: The Cinderella story you never knew existed

Ever wonder what really happened at Cinderella's ball? Well, hear all about it from one of Cindy's stepsisters; this week, Canderella Honeybottom takes a moment to tell drama on the waterfront her story, and it is shocking stuff. To see what happened after the ball, bring your kids to Ugly Stepsisters at Circa during the school holiday, 10-21 April.

Ugly Stepsisters Canderella (left) and Griselda Honeybottom.

"So there I was, having the time of my life. Griselda Honeybottom and I were the last two on the prince's dance card and, frankly, she didn’t really stand a chance, what with the wooden leg and the halitosis. My turn was up as soon as the band came back from their break. I thought that I would use the opportunity to powder my nose, as we ladies will often do. I was at the mirror when in she came. You know who I mean. That pompous, arrogant upstart Cinderella. She had no right to be there after mother strictly forbade her from coming for continuously knocking on the three blind mice's door and not talking when they answered. The poor things had no idea who was there. But anyway, in she strolled and nudged my elbow while I was applying my lippy, causing me to draw a great big lipstick line right up my left nostril. She knows full well how hard “Everlast Shimmer” lipstick is to get off. I was stuck in that bathroom for 15 minutes just trying to wash it off. 


In the meantime, little miss high and mighty slipped a sleeping potion into Griselda’s lemonade and Griselda had started to snore incredibly loudly. So loudly, in fact, that the King and Queen had her removed from the ballroom. This meant, of course, that Cinderella had the prince all to herself. Even when I came back from the bathroom, she wouldn’t let him dance with me. I found out later in the evening that she had told the prince that I suffered from a rare condition and that when I danced with someone, all my teeth and hair falls out and he wouldn’t want to be responsible for me being toothless and bald, would he? The little minx! Could you imagine? So I was sidelined for the rest of the evening. Oh, there were others there of course. I danced with the Pied Piper for a while but he is a terrible bore. No wonder people refuse to pay him. The Gingerbread man was very nice but after holding his hand in a waltz for a couple of minutes he became too sticky. And don’t get me started on Georgie Porgie! 


Anyway, after about two hours of watching miss “butter wouldn’t melt in my mouth” she suddenly declared that the ball was over and it was time for everyone to go home. The cheek of it! Who does she think she is? It’s not even her party! And when people tried to intervene and tell her that it really wasn’t her place to tell everyone when to go home she threw a huge tantrum and stormed off. Out on the steps she took her slipper off and threw it at me just because I was trying to reason with her and tell her it was only five to twelve at night. Which really isn’t that late for us adults. Rumour has it the prince will be looking for the owner of the slipper tomorrow and is going to make them apologise publicly. If I were a lesser woman I’d tell the prince who she is and where she lives, but why lower myself to her level?

Love Canderella Honeybottom xx"

This year The Improvisors have created a KIDS season to celebrate the unsung heroes of fairy tales, with a look at the ‘true’ stories behind the other side of beloved fairy tales!

First up in the April school holidays is Cinderella’s Ugly Stepsisters as they carry on after she marries the Prince. With a hilarious all male cast – these Ugly Stepsisters embark on a series of self-improvements to discover beauty is not just skin deep!

As always we welcome and encourage the audience to come dressed up for the occasion – Knights, Princesses, Bears, Fairies, Batman are all welcome to add to the interactive experience.

So come on down to Circa Theatre to participate in the fun, dress up and join the story! 

To book, call the Circa Box Office at 801-7992 or go online at www.circa.co.nz.

The gloves will come off when The Improvisors present IMPROV CAGE MATCH at Circa Theatre

FROM The Publicist Feb 1^st 4.43pm

Hi Pete and Greg,

So my idea for our Circa Blog post is to put up a improv slag match!

So gentlemen, you have from now until Friday to write a Cage Match insult tirade of epic proportions here in this Facebook message box - I'll copy it into a printable blog when you're done!

And . . . GO!

X The Publicist

FROM Greg Ellis Feb 4^th 8.13am

It is quite clear to me, Pete Doile, that you are ducking me. I had already expected to see some insults here but you've had nothing to say for yourself and I know why....

You fear me

Simple as that.

Sure outside the ring you can break boards and pull off one inch punches but inside the Cage at Circa Theatre you know that not only will I break you like a cinder block but I'll sweep you up and tidily and conscientiously put you in a council rubbish bin and leave you out...

with the trash

FROM Pete Doile Feb 4^th 3.59pm

Greg,

I wasn’t ducking you, nor do I fear you, your assumption will be your down fall.
Come The Improvisers Cage Match not only will you be defeated but also you will finally realise that it will be I that “sweeps the floor” with you for the only sound that you will hear from the audience will be that of uncomfortable silence and the odd shuffle of feet.

I may not have the skill set you offer but I do have something that will match and overwhelm any attempt you have to overthrow me.

Greg, your time has come, your number is up, the people have spoken.

Your %$#@ is mine

The Improvisors Present:

IMPROV CAGE MATCH

22-26 February, 7.30pm

Circa Two, 1 Taranaki St, Wellington

Bookings: 04 801 7992 or www.circa.co.nz

2 Teams + 3 Rounds x 40 Minutes Each - No Rules = Improvised Hilarity!

Wellington’s best improv comedians go head to head with no rules and only a stopwatch to separate them!

Each night two teams of top improv comics clash to showcase their own styles of improvisation in a show that promises to be truly unpredictable.

Theatresports mixes with WWE RAW, music and satire sits alongside silliness, in a combustible brew that spills out of the ring and into the audience.

21 years ago this month The Improvisors staged their first show at the original Circa Theatre and they begin their 21st birthday celebrations in raucous style this February with Improv Cage Match.

In certain parts of society, no 21st birthday party is complete without a bit of a scuffle so The Improvisors decided to get this out of the way first up with a show that is improv comedy at its rawest, no-holds barred best.

“There are a few egos among the folk here at The Improvisors,” says Artistic Director (and possessor of one of the bigger Egos) Greg Ellis. “And this will be a chance for those performers to really show whose best by tailoring their part of the show to suit their strengths perfectly. In most of our shows performers are out of their comfort zones trying things they may not be totally at home with, say singing, dancing or Shakespeare. Not this time.”

Be part of the action, fuel for the scenes, decide the overall winner and laugh till it hurts! The gloves come off from 22 – 26 February. Don’t miss it.

Proud to be part of the 2011 Fringe Festival

www.fringe.co.nz

Gnome sayin'?

Halfway through their second kids’ show ever, The Improvisors are delighting audiences with their tale of Norman the Gnome and his quest to get home. Improvisor Greg Ellis tells DOTW all about Gnome on the Roam and what is was that made The Improvisors break into the world of children's theatre.

DOTW: Tell us a little bit about Gnome on the Roam – what is the general story?

GE: The general story is about a bored garden gnome called Norman who wants to travel. He gets his wish but is stranded in a strange land and needs to find his way home.

DOTW: I understand that The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, at Circa during the last school holiday, was The Improvisors’ first foray into the world of kids shows. What made you guys decide to put on a show for kids?

GE: We’ve gone from being a company of largely foot-loose and fancy free singles, to getting married and having families. We wanted to do shows our own kids could enjoy and understand the silliness of their folks’ profession.

DOTW: What can you tell us about your experience in The Sorcerer’s Apprentice?

GE: It was great fun! We enjoyed doing the shows much more than we imagined. Kids are much more unpredictable than adults and kept us on our toes!

DOTW: What are the differences in putting on an improvised show for children versus doing one for an adult audience? Which is more challenging?

GE: The great thing about improv is that you work with whatever audience is in front of you so there’s not much difference.

Except for the odd bit of self-censoring.

DOTW: What age range does Gnome on the Roam appeal to?

GE: We’re aiming at 3-10 but were surprised last time with how many older kids came and enjoyed it. The thing that we are aiming to do is work on lots of levels so there’s plenty for all ages.

DOTW: As you said, many of The Improvisors have young children of their own. How do your own kids respond to the shows?

GE: We had many of our kids along to rehearsals as test audiences and some of them managed to go to Sorcerer’s four times during the season as well!!!

My little girl George is a particular fan and loves the song from the new show so much we recorded her performing it for a web trailer!

DOTW: Is there anything else that audiences should know about Gnome on the Roam?

GE: The show is great fun for everyone. It’s a given that the kids will enjoy it but we just want the adults out there to realize that there’s plenty for them to enjoy too. Often adults would rather eat their own heads than sit through a kid’s show – this is not one of those!!!

DOTW: Where do you hope Norman ends up on his travels away from the Armbrewster’s garden?

GE: We don’t have any particular hopes –we’re ready to be surprised. Bring it on!

Gnome on the Roam is on at Circa until 17 July. For tickets, call 801-7992 or visit http://www.circa.co.nz/.

Theatresports – a view from inside the creative chaos!

By: The Improvisors

We’re now six weeks into what is shaping up to be a classic season of Theatresports in Circa Two. Wellington’s finest Improvisors are duking it out for the Wellington Heavyweight Improv Belt – it’s just like pro wrestling, but with less likelihood of bruising, marginally less grunting, and a great deal more hyperbole. Also, Theatresports is funnier than pro wrestling, even though nobody is wearing spandex.

As it stands, Ian Harcourt, Kenny King and Anna Kennedy are in pole position on the league table, testament to their consistent hilariousness and superior improv chops. They’re strong contenders to enter the Final, where the season’s top performers have the chance to claim the Belt for their own.

Theatresports 2010

Nevertheless, the season has been characterised by a punishing return to physical comedy. Specialists like Pete Doile, who, with Buster Keaton-like acuity, is able to turn his lithe-yet-hulking body into a stick insect or a meerkat with equal facility have excelled; the gauntlet has been thrown down to players to get out there and look silly on the stage.

Also making his mark on the season is rising Improvisors star, Ralph Howell. His style takes something from Improvisors veterans like Nic Gorman and Tim Jones, and adds a refreshing spritzer. Also, because he is younger, he is better to look at.

Of note have been guest appearances by Improvisors alumni such as comedian Steve Wrigley, and WIT’s Simon Smith.

If you’ve haven’t come down yet, don’t miss out on one of Wellington’s funniest nights out. If you’ve already been, drop by again – because the show is entirely improvised, it’s never the same twice!

The 2010 season of Theatresports is on Sundays at 7:30 pm in Circa Two until 27 June.

The Improvisors at Circa: Theatresports 2010, Shakespeare – The Musical, and Holmes Alone

Fresh from the successful run of their first ever kids’ show, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, The Improvisors’ Greg Ellis tells drama on the waterfront about the 20-year-old comedy group's new triumvirate of laugh-out-loud shows taking over Circa Two from 25 April.

The Improvisors have no less than three shows in the NZ International Comedy Festival this year. You guessed it, we love Comedy Festival time!

It's a great way to premiere new shows that extend us in one way or another and build on all the work we've done over the past few years. 2010 is no different. Except for the fact that we are twenty years old as a company this year.

In 1990, we performed our first ever show, the Improv Murder Mystery Suspect at Circa, and it has been our spiritual home ever since. In the intervening 20 years we've done lots and lots of shows but the ones we've probably enjoyed the most have been our improvised Shakespeares and our musicals. So, when Improvisor Deana Elvins suggested we combine both in a single improvised Shakespearean musical it was hard to deny that it was a great idea! Since the end of our Fringe Festival show Garry Trotter and the Philosopher's Whatchamacallit, we've been busily practising sonnets, soliloquies and songs. The lucky thing for us is that we have a talented bunch of musos in the company and Robbie Ellis and Simon Buxton create such fantastic music that it's very hard to fight the urge to sing.

Shakespeare - The Musical

Shakespeare - The Musical will be the perfect show for people who want to see something a little different in the Comedy Festival, something a little more than just one person and a mike. The amazing thing about this 80 minute show is that everything in it - all the music, lyrics, dialogue and story is made up right in front of the audience's eyes. The risk in the show gives it energy and really pushes the performers.

So whether or not you are a fan of Shakespeare or musicals, come along and check out Shakespeare - The Musical. Tragedy, Comedy or History - you get to choose. And as the audience you provide the plot suggestions along the way. Don't miss it!

Holmes Alone

And, for the first time we're presenting a double bill at Circa. Right after Shakespeare - The Musical you can catch me, all by myself, in Holmes Alone. Improvisation is not usually a solo pursuit - it's so much easier and less frightening to do it with others - but I've always wanted to try a completely improvised solo show. It seemed scary and challenging, especially since I haven't even done a regular solo show before!

And a little while ago I fell in love with Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. I've always loved the Victorian/Edwardian eras - the uptightness and the manners - and the Sherlock Holmes stories are written with a fantastic sense of pace and character. I decided I wanted my show to be a Sherlock Holmes show - a complete mystery with all its suspects and clues in about an hour. Eek!

It's been a scary prospect lurking on the horizon for almost six months now made slightly less daunting for a couple of reasons. First was seeing Guy Langford's awesome Wannabe, which proved that a real simplicity and precision help create multiple memorable characters. The second was having Aaron Alexander in as a director. Aaron is a great actor, improviser and thinker about theatre and his presence has helped me focus on getting the show out of my head and onto the stage.

Holmes Alone goes from being an exciting challenge to a terrifying one but what I can guarantee is that audiences will see me working harder onstage than I ever have before to bring Holmes, Watson and the rest of the required suspects and characters to life.

And as part of a double bill, you can get a great price to see both Shakespeare - The Musical and Holmes Alone on the same night. Why not kick-start your comedy festival with two shows for less than you'd pay to see some of the other shows on their own?

But wait there's more!

Theatresports 2010

Every year we use the Comedy Festival to kick-start our Theatresports season and this year is no different. Theatresports is the grand-daddy of them all, the improvisation format best loved by performers and audiences alike and it's stood the test of time.

In 2010, the basic format will be the same: two teams will compete against each other in a series of short improv games. The suggestions to fuel these will come from the audience, who will also help judge the results. It's fast-paced, never boring and a great way to experience improv for the first time or as a family.

This year we are not having ongoing teams but rather individual performers will carry their night's score to find out who will appear in the Wellington final on June 27. We are also inviting any of the 90 odd former Improvisors who have played in the past to get involved in the shows and we can already reveal that 7 Days stalwart and long-time Improvisor Steve Wrigley will take to the stage with us May 2nd.

So there's a lot going on for The Improvisors at Circa in the next few weeks - you've got no excuse not to catch at least one show!

Greg Ellis, The Improvisors


Shakespeare - The Musical, 27 April - 1 May
Holmes Alone, 27 April - 1 May
Theatresports 2010, Sundays, 25 April - 27 June