Shows like "Whose Line
Is It Anyway?" as well as many live shows have given audiences the impression
that improv is all about being funny. Substantive improv, however, is
theatre, and theatre is more than just comedy. Improv needs to explore
all aspects of the theatrical experience from comedy to drama, from
suspense to romance, from slapstick to horror.
Improv
is theatre without limitations.
"Whose Line" and live shows like it
rely on a simple format of games to entertain the audience and get them
laughing. Nothing wrong with that…so far. The problem arises when the
program consist primarily of non-scene games. Games without scenes are the
empty calories of improv; they have their place, but should be used
strategically. Every great writer and director of comedies knows that
people can only laugh so long before they become physically and mentally
worn out. Comedy needs to be interspersed with other forms of
entertainment to keep the audience interested.
When
players go on
intention of being
funny,
they will
almost
always
fail.
When they go on with the intention of being interesting...that's
when the fun begins. I've seen too many "Nyuk nyuk" games to know that
when you go on stage trying to be funny, the audience will sense it
immediately and unconsciously challenge you to make them laugh. When you
play a scene with the intent to be interesting, the funny will come of
its own accord, and the audience will laugh as they discover the funny
with you.
We, as artists, must play with the audience, not at them. Theatrical Improvisation is the art of mutual discovery.
Happy improvising!
