Scared Scriptless
If you’ve never been to Scared Scriptless before, you are seriously missing out. It’s improv theatre done by a bunch of local talent (the Jesters), and it is money well spent. If you’re really lucky, you might even get roped into helping them..*
The Jesters normally perform at the Court Theatre in the Arts Centre, but for reasons I really shouldn’t need to go into right now they’ve relocated to the UCSA Big Top in the UC campus.
Improv theatre is always a hit and miss affair, but I’m happy to say with their first performance at the Big Top the Jesters were much more hit than miss. It’s always going to be difficult performing theatre in a tent, but the performers overcame the limitations of what was on offer and put on a great show. With nothing more than four lights, a keyboard, and a plastic floor the seven performers had the audience in fits of laughter. The MC, in particular, initially appeared a little hesitant, but warmed up quickly and was well into her stride by the mid-point of the show.
The sketches were fantastic, due in no small part to the performers taking the ideas the audience offered and running wild with them. A standout example would have to be the sketch involving Freddie Mercury, Popeye, and… Andrew Todd (with a guest appearance from David Bowie). Special kudos goes to Matt Powell for his facial expressions and physicality, although he does lose points for hitting on my girlfriend. The show even managed to throw in some zombies, although I’m pretty sure the MC didn’t really appreciate being devoured by her ensemble.
All in all, Scared Scriptless is a great way to start a night. At the moment, they’re running Saturday shows in the Big Tent in the UC carpark at 90 Ilam Road from 7:30pm until about nine o’clock and Friday shows at the Hagley Open Stage from 8:00pm, so even if you’re determined to get your drink on over the weekend, you can start out with some light humour and a bit of zombie slaughter. It’s well worth it, trust me.
*”Help”, in this case, being defined as ringing a bell whenever the hell I felt like it. But only during one sketch.
