Women’s Show and Queer Show | Big Fork Theatre
Improv is a genre I haven’t seen much of since my brief childhood chapter of drama classes, but after this show I think I’ll be seeing a lot more of it. When done well, it is pure hilarity. Throughout the course of each performance, the absurdity of the topics and storylines just seems to snowball and no one in the room knows what’s going to happen next.
This performance was a real treat of two shows back-to-back, each with different casts and no pre-determined themes, just one single word suggested by the audience.
First was the Women’s Show performed by seven women lead by Taylor Edwards, some seasoned performers and others improvising for the very first time. Responding to the audience suggestion ‘abattoir’ the cast first set the scene, one by one illustrating the imaginary features of the setting, from the pristine equipment on the wall to the mysterious stain in the corner. The actors stood on the sides of the stage until inspired to step forward and be part of the scene, barely missing a beat as they became employees at a vegetarian abattoir where the staff are not allowed to eat meat during their term of employment. They are however allowed to look at meat, and the tour for new employees consists of an elaborate sniff test of the facilities. Some of the characters who emerged were the resident Daisy the talking cow, Larry the lying plant-based meat scientist, and a detrimentally honest new employee at her first day on the job.
It wasn’t obvious who in the ensemble was the fresh meat, as each actor pulled their weight in the development of the story, though as the story expanded it became a bit convoluted at times with a few too many changes of character. However, this didn’t last for long as someone would jump in with a callback or other orientating development in the narrative. I found it so interesting to see the techniques they used to move the story along in strategic directions, to switch scenes, to exit or enter the stage, and to make space for one another in the scenes.
Next followed the Queer Show which captured my admiration before the show had even begun, purely for the actors’ infectious enthusiasm. Inspired by the word ‘hydraulics’ the cast of six, lead by Olivia Windsor, evidently experienced improvisers launched us into a tale of a separated (but still cohabiting) previously-heterosexual couple who organise to raise their house and install a jacuzzi beneath it in order to fulfill the ex-wife’s dream of hosting sapphic spa parties. Yes, it was even more complicated than it sounds.
There were gurgles of laughter from all corners of the room as the elaborate homoerotic story of love, betrayal, and strategically-placed water jets unfolded, building to a climax with all characters onstage. Standouts were the well-intentioned sales representative who was caught up in the drama while just trying to do their job, the frustrated wife of the tradie who would spend long nights away from her supposedly servicing the spa jets (or were they servicing him?)
As it went on, the intricate tale only tightened and strengthened, so much so that if someone had told me this story was carefully crafted and rehearsed, I would have believed them. I think that’s a great testament to the actors’ skill.
The beauty of having two shows without themes or narrative goals meant they were uninhibited in their trajectories and none of it felt forced. It was amazing to see the stories unfold, piece by ridiculous and amusing piece. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for the future of the Brisbane Improv Festival.
