Oh yes it is! It's that time of year again, and regulars at Sale's Waterside theatre, the improvised comedy troupe Comedysportz, take a different spin on both their tradition and the seasonal theatrical one, and by combining both deliver an unique experience every time.
Six performers put their careers on the line as they improvise their way through a different-every-time pantomime. First to enter the stage is Rachael, our fairy and 'MC'. Asking for suggestions from the young audience for the place ["Chicken-Leg-By-The-Sea"], why the place is famous ["bottled water"], and what it is they have to find to save the day ["an amazing light"]. Armed with these three pieces of information the fairy then (with a little help from the young audience once again) dishes out the five actors with an item of costume which will be their character throughout the one-hour-long show.
The format for the panto is the same as for any long-form improvistion, with the Fairy Rachael coming in and changing the scene or the style if things start to run our of steam. What is different here is that the troupe include many panto favourites such as a variation of the scary 'behind you' routine, a messy kitchen scene, a dame, and lots of audience participation. They also nicely used two youngsters from the audience too to help them in their storytelling. Add in to the mix a few simple songs, with live keyboard accompaniment by Felix, then it is a clever spin on seasonal entertainment.
The Chambers (the theatre's studio space) was to capacity this evening, mainly with youngsters, and they engaged with it completely, laughing and booing all the way through. Totally fitting for their target audience and cleverly devised and rehearsed in order that the inpro doesn't get too far out of control. Plenty of laughs (even for us oldies!) and a high energy hour of fun.
The six performers this evening were (and since there were no programmes or cast lists etc, I hope I have them correct!) : Sean Mason, John Cooper, Russel Ditchfield, Rob Hudson, Laura Brook-Smith and Rachael (the fairy!). Impro comedy has become extremely popular over the last few years and many troupes are forming: I can think of at least three just in Manchester. It's not easy either... being a good improviser is very skillful and was never something I myself was ever particularly good at, and so am always very impressed when I watch those who are! Comedysportz (distinguished by their football kits with referee kit for the fairy / MC) are very good at what they do and even if you didn't manage to catch them doing the panto this year, they have a regular monthly slot at Sale with their always unique impro comedy games.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 13/12/19
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