Why We Love Improv (especially on St Patty’s day)

The last time I went to see local improv darlings, Uncalled For, I bumped into a friend who was checking them out for the first time. Before the show began, John confessed that he was generally skeptical about improv. I was shocked - I figured everybody liked the goofy, daredevil kind of comedy executed by skillful improvisers. But John said he’d prefer to watch the kind of theatrical production in which all the components were specifically crafted to create a single artist’s vision. I could see his point, but naturally, I felt the need to polish up an argument in support of my favourite improv troupe. As the show unfolded, I found myself wondering: why do we love improv?

If Uncalled For had sat down to write, block, and rehearse their performance, and produce the skits we saw that night, I probably would have thought it sucked. But, because everything was concocted on the spot, characters, setting and plot conjured from the thin air of audience suggestion - it was completely awe-inspiring. So does that mean can only enjoy improv if we lower our comic standards?

Not at all. Watching improv is about so much more than a few good punchlines. I think that what we really love to witness is the nearly miraculous balancing act that the players pull off - and no, I’m not referring to the stilettoed cartwheels we saw. What really warms our hearts are the daring rescue missions the improvisers unfailingly concoct in order to save their colleagues from the dark reaches of utter logiclessness. After all, how often do we get to see a whole team of talented people come together and create something in real-time?

Uncalled For has been performing together - albeit in various permutations - for 8 solid years. I can’t think of many romantic relationships that have lasted that long. The trust among the players is nearly tangible. There’s no room for ego in improv, there’s no time for second thoughts. That’s what makes these performances so delightful. Well, that and things like vampire muffins.

Maybe we love improv because it conjures - if only briefly - a way of life that we would all like to practice a little more of.

Now, here’s why you will definitely love Uncalled For’s Late-Night Drunken St-Patty’s Day Show this Saturday. To quote the invitate:

These are the facts:

1 - St. Patrick’s Day commemorates the patron saint of Ireland, Booze.
2 - Uncalled For celebrates the patron saint of comedy, Questionable Decision Making.
3 - Nothing improves Questionable Decision Making like a hefty helping of Booze.

Ergo something,

4 - An Uncalled For St. Patrick’s Day show is only appropriate if everyone involved is drunk.

Read the rest of the ramblings on the Facebook invitate, or just get your drinkin’ boots on and stumble over:

Saturday, March 15th
Uncalled For’s Late-Night Drunken St. Paddy’s Day Improv Show
MainLine Theatre, 3997 St-Laurent, below Duluth
Doors at 10:30, show at 11, drinking forevermore
7 bucks gets you an improv show AND a free shot!
Beer and wine and whiskey are cheap and plentiful at MainLine; our lovely shooter girls will serve you throughout the show.