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14 November 2011
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Last Friday was 11.11.11, the kind of date that happens roughly once in a century.
Depending on the news reports, it was either going to be the beginning of the Age of Aquarius, or a time to open the gates of hell. Or the number 63 in binary.
We here at Theatre Alive kind of felt like it was somewhere in between. For instance, our technology unleashed Armageddon on us, but on the other hand, the weather was awesome, right?
So whatever your experience of last Friday, we’re still here (albeit later than usual) with the lowdown on the best that Melbourne’s independent theatre has to offer.
If you’ve ever wanted to know more about how impro works, read on for chat with Jason Geary from Impro Melbourne, who gives us the inside scoop on how improvisation works!
Don’t forget to take advantage of our giveaways and special offers either folks. We may be rapidly approaching the end of the year, but there’s still heaps of theatre going on – so get to it!
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A chat with Impro Melbourne's Jason Geary about their latest show Fat City and a typical day in the life of a jobbing actor.
Improvisation is an often misunderstood art form with audiences sometimes thinking that the actors are simply ‘makings things up’. What is improvisation all about really?
Improvisation is an art form where groups of performers have to create character and narrative together. Yes, we make things up, but there is much more to creating an engaging piece of theatre or comedy than simply saying whatever you think of in the moment. You have to work together to create, and it's one of the most unique forms of theatre because of this.
Do you ever get the Improviser’s equivalent of “writer’s block”? How do you keep the show going when you’re not sure how to respond to what the other performer gives you on stage?
If I blank or am unsure of how to respond to a suggestion, or offer from another performer on stage, I often look to my scene partner. As they’re in the scene too, they can either give me another suggestion that I can get my head around, or clarify the offer that has confused me. Everything you need is in the person standing opposite you.
With improvised shows, as with all theatre, there is always the potential for things to go wrong. If something does go wrong, what can you as an actor do to fix it?
It's not really about 'fixing it' when your improvising. There really is no wrong. It's up to me to attempt to make offers that inspire my team mates and honour the story that has come before. If your team mates are there to look after you, they should never make you look like you've made a mistake.
What does a typical day in the life of a performer entail?
It depends really, what sort of gig I'm doing at the time. TV work might have me writing and shooting 13 hours a day. Theatre work may have me rehearsing all day, and then performing at night. Improvisation might have me doing corporate work, shows, bump in, workshops and training. Sometimes I have no work at all, and I sleep in and play Xbox!
Read on for more
Fat City, produced by Impro Melbourne, runs from 6 Nov - 4 Dec.
www.impromelbourne.com.au
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They weren't always like this. They weren't always flawed. The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
Over four very special performances, the Impro Melbourne ensemble delve into life in Fat City; an underworld filled with shady gangsters, heart-of-gold 'madames', crooked cops, down-on-his-luck husbands, and starlets who lost the path to fame a long time ago.
Thanks to our improvisational friends, Theatre Alive has 2 double passes to give away to the performance on Sunday November 27 at The Space, 3-5 Carlton Street Prahran at 7.30pm. To be in the running to win, simply visit Theatre Alive and follow the prompts!
Competition closes 5pm on Thursday 17 November, 2011. Winners only will be notified by email on Friday 18 November, 2011.
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Tim and Angela have a perfect life. Comfortable, affluent and middle-class.
When a new and unfamiliar threat to their privileged existence becomes an unwanted part of their day to day life, Tim and Angela seek out a solution.
Our friends at Act-O-Matic 3000 have kindly furnished us with 3 double passes to October give away for the performance on Saturday 19 November at the Mechanics Institute Brunswick, 270 Sydney Rd, Brunswick at 8pm.
To be in the running to win, simply visit Theatre Alive and follow the prompts!
Competition closes 5pm on Wednesday 16 November, 2011. Winners only will be notified by email on Thursday 17 November, 2011.
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SPECIAL OFFER FOR URBAN DISPLAY SUITE
Urban Display Suite is a musical satire on our national obsession with the property market.
Following sold-out seasons at the 2011 Adelaide Cabaret Festival and Melbourne’s fortyfivedownstairs, the show has now been given a by-demand return season at the MTC Theatre’s Lawler Studio.
Friends of Theatre Alive can purchase tickets for any show between Wednesday 28 December and Friday 6 January at a special discount price of $39.90* (usually $49.90), simply click here to book and enter the promotion code ‘AUCTION’.
Offer expires 30 November 2011.
Urban Display Suite
The MTC Theatre, Lawler Studio
From 28 December 2011
*Booking fee may apply.
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© Theatre Alive 2011 |
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