Impromptunes

MICF 2021 Shows we’ve previously Reviewed

Well.

Hello Everybodeeeee!

It’s been a while and we’ve been through the wars and semi hibernation and discovered online live comedy

BUT

isn’t it great to have live comedy back with us! We’re feeling pretty lucky to be able to have a Melbourne International Comedy Festival, much reduced though it will be. We are already pretty excited about so many shows (live and virtual) this year!

And Yes we will be going out to taste the delights of the Festival to report back on What’s Going On.

As always we begin our coverage with a list of shows in this year’s festival that we have already seen, along with links to our thoughts about them. As usual we give the disclaimer that festival shows are ever evolving entities so they will certainly have changed since we sat in the audience.

Ali McGregor’s Late-Nite Variety-Nite Night

Here’s Lisa’s review from Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2016:

Always a wonderful way to catch some of the best quirky acts from the Melbourne International Comedy Festival handpicked by our gorgeous host.

https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=9937

Ali McGregor’s Late-Nite Variety-Nite Night is on at The Famous Spiegeltent at Arts Centre Melbourne Fri – Sun throughout the Festival

https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2021/shows/ali-mcgregor-s-late-nite-variety-night

Best of British

Here’s James’ review from Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2017:

Down a quick pint, strap yourself in and go nuts. You’ll have a wonderful time.

https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=11235

Best of British is on at Exford Hotel from March 24 to April 18

https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2021/shows/best-of-british

The Breast of the Fest

Here’s Jess’s review from Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2019:

It’s a refreshing show, with each of the comics bringing something different to the evening, but all bringing more than a few laughs.

https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=13671

The Breast of the Fest is on at Trades Halle from March 25 to April 4

https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2021/shows/the-breast-of-the-fest

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience

Here is Ron’s review from Edinburgh Fringe 2008:

This was one of the most madcap and fun packed dining experiences I can recall. I laughed so hard my jaw is aching.

https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=1633

Faulty Towers The Dining Experience is on at The Duke of Wellington Hotel from April 8 – 18
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2021/shows/faulty-towers-the-dining-experience

Impromptunes : The Completely Improvised Musical

Here’s Hooi’s review from Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2018:

A charming show that showcases the improvisational and musical talents of the performers… absolutely engrossing.

https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=12663

The Completely Improvised Musical is on at Trades Hall from April 5 to 18

https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2021/shows/impromptunes

Matt Harvey : I Got Bit by a Monkey Once

Here’s Peter’s review from Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2019:

Matt’s show is intimate and warm. It’s rather like listening to a friend telling you stories about their recent travels.

https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=13806

I Got Bit by a Monkey Once is on at Caz Reitops Dirty Secrets from March 31 to April 11

https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2021/shows/matt-harvey

Scout Boxall : Good Egg

Here is Colin’s review from Melbourne Fringe 2019:

Scout has the funny bones to pull off anything vaguely comedic with an ease and comfort on stage…

https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=14366

Good Egg is on at Trades Hall from March 25 to April 4

https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2021/shows/scout-boxall-good-egg

Southplayers: Completely Improvised Shakespeare

Here is Lisa’s review from Melbourne Fringe 2015:

A band of merrie players you can put your trust in for a fun night of storytelling and making stuffe up.

https://www.squirrelcomedy.com/?p=9433

Completely Improvised Shakespeare is on at Trades Hall from April 5 to 18
https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2021/shows/soothplayers

By Hooi Khaw

Impromptunes is a delightful show that features a brand new improvised musical each night. The team’s musical and improvisational skills are on full display, as they navigate through the story inspired by the audience’s suggestion of a title.

On this night the suggested title is Commonwealth Games, and the team plays with themes of sacrifice, pressure, and relationships. Instead of utilising the underdog trope the focus ends up being on family relationships and acceptance, hitting the emotional beats of the show with precision. The juxtaposition between these emotional moments and the numerous comedic ones work well, and the performers alternate between the two to accommodate the story.

It is terrifying to watch them perform without the safety net of a script, or pre-written songs, but the performers make this work through unfaltering support for the other performers. They support each other’s songs by repeating lines of the chorus, harmonising, synchronising dance moves, and using more techniques recognised in traditional musicals. The effect of this is tantalising, and the audience responds well to the combination of these complementary moves.

Although the coordination is brilliant to watch, there is definitely joy in seeing when things don’t go perfectly. On the rare occasion that a line is missed or misheard by one member (and noticed by the audience), this also resulted in laughter. There is something thrilling about all the things that can go pear-shaped when improvising, and the audience delights in both the stellar successes of the performers, and well as the minor slip ups.

Overall Impromptunes is a charming show that showcases the improvisational and musical talents of the performers. Their ability to create relatable characters and catchy songs keeps the audience invested and engaged for the entire show in a way that is absolutely engrossing.

Impromptunes is on at the Trades Hall – Music Room https://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2018/shows/the-completely-improvised-musical

5 Good Reasons to see Tune Your Own Adventure

1. Each show is a completely improvised musical, that no one else will ever see again!

2. You can bring your kids. Tune Your Own Adventure is totally family friendly!

3. It’s cheap! A whole family can enjoy the show for under $50 – something you can’t say for a trip to Luna Park…

4. You get to decide how the story goes!

5. There may or may not be a vampire…

Tune Your Own Adventure is on at the Supper Room of the Melbourne Town Hall until April 12
For Bookings & information go to the MICF website:
http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2015/season/shows/tune-your-own-adventure-impromptunes

5 Good Reasons To See Impromptunes : The Completely Improvised Musical

1. It combines improvised comedy with the magic of music theatre – something for everyone!

2. The cast includes some of Melbourne’s best improvisers, comedians and music theatre performers – who are all really attractive.

3. You leave singing songs that didn’t exist an hour before!

4. You’ll laugh at things you never knew could be funny.

5. Every show is different so you can come see us every night of comfest (except Mondays)!

Impromptunes : The Completely Improvised Musical is on at Trades Hall. For more information and bookings visit the website:
http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2015/season/shows/the-completely-improvised-musical-impromptunes

The team at Impromptunes are also performing in a show aimed at kids : Tune Your Own Adventure at the Melbourne Town Hall. For more information and bookings visit the website:
http://www.comedyfestival.com.au/2015/season/shows/tune-your-own-adventure-impromptunes

5 Good Reasons to See Impromptunes: Whose Chorus Line Is It Anyway?

1. Improvised + musical + comedy

When you put these three things together, you get magic. This show is an incredible experience for audiences as you get to watch a fully fledged musical created right in front of your eyes. Amazing!

2. One night in Lithuania
The show is on at The Lithuanian Club on Errol St. It’s an amazing space – with a bar where the drinks can be purchased at Lithuanian prices!

3. See it while you can
Every other Impromptunes season has sold out by the end. Go early, so you can be the one telling others to, not the one missing out on closing night!

4. See it and see it again
Every show is completely different, so you can head to North Melbourne and start your night with Impromptunes and then head to another show – any night of the week! (Except Mondays. No one likes Mondays)

5. They’re presenting a new format
This work has never been done before – anywhere. So you can guarantee you’ll see nothing else like it in all of Fringe.

For tickets and more information see the Fringe Website:

http://www.melbournefringe.com.au/fringe-festival/show/impromptunes/#