5 Good reasons to see The Improv Conspiracy present A Night In Chicago

The Improv Conspiracy is the only improvised comedy group in Melbourne focused on “Chicago-style” improvisation, which is big in the States and has only recently found its way to Australia.

This Fringe season The Improv Conspiracy presents A Night In Chicago, which mixes honest storytelling with improvised sketch comedy.

Here are 5 Good reasons you should spend A Night in Chicago sometime during the next few weeks:

1. Nobody else in Melbourne is doing improv shows like this. Based on personal questions from the audience (e.g. “What was it like to lose your virginity?” or “What’s the stupidest thing you’ve ever done?”), the night’s storyteller will tell awkward stories from their life, inspiring the cast of improvisers to create comedic sketches on the spot. The storyteller’s deepest, darkest secrets get spun into comedy gold. Pleasure for you, pain for them!

2. We know what it’s like to spend a night in Chicago. Quite a few of us have actually trained extensively at improv schools in Chicago, and spent many nights there in the process. We’re talking about places like the iO Theatre, which is where Tina Fey, Chris Farley, Amy Poehler and heaps of other funny people got their start.

3. Every show is completely different. Each show will have a different cast and storyteller. This ensures that every night you will be treated to new story and sketches, from a unique blend of talent. Skip the rest of the Fringe and see our show 12 times!

4. People like us! YAWP said “Trying to pick a favourite performer or scene from the night is impossible… professional, accomplished comics with excellent acting skills.”, while Inpress got very confused by one of our impossible staircase scenes and said “Watching these guys improvise is like watching an Escher drawing.”

5. If you like the show, we’ll teach you how to do it! The Improv Conspiracy has trained all of the performers in the show, and we’re constantly running new workshops to get people involved. We perform year-round, so you could potentially be up on stage within a few months. Comedy Festival, anyone?

The Improv Conspiracy present A Night In Chicago plays at The Croft Institute, Wednesday to Saturday  Sept 18 – Oct 5.

Website: http://www.melbournefringe.com.au/fringe-festival/show/the-improv-conspiracy/

Details about the group can be found at http://www.improvconspiracy.com

5 Good Reasons to see Twice Shy by Joel Checkley and Shannon Woodford

5 Good Reasons to see Twice Shy goes something like this.

1. Twice Shy thinks that love is fantastic, and sometimes hilarious. It’s easy to forget this, so we made a comedy show to remind you.

2. We promise to make you smile at least twice. Bad pun intended.

3. Shannon expertly portrays a mentally challenged goldfish, a little too well perhaps.

4. We are both pretty nice, and would probably let you buy us a beer after the show.

5. Because Melbourne Fringe Festival is awesome, so by default…

You might want to see Joel Checkley and Shannon Woodford being Twice Shy at Loop Bar (only 6 performances)
http://www.melbournefringe.com.au/fringe-festival/show/twice-shy/#

5 Good Reasons to see Dylan Cole in Safety First

Here are my 5 Good Reasons to see Safety First

1. It makes fun of the mediocre training instructors, seminars & courses seen frequently in everybody’s working life.

2. There is a tea break in the middle of the show – with Arnott’s Assorted Creams – that’s right, creams, not the cheap stuff.

3. You might learn something that could save your life.

4. Try and pick up all the subtle film references – 10 points & chocolate if you can name them all

5. You get a kick-arse certificate at the end, which is sure to impress any potential employee/suitor.

 

Sounds like a great show to take your office colleagues to, and you get a bickie!

Dylan Cole will be performing Safety First at The Tuxedo Cat – The Puffer Fish B at 7pm.

http://www.melbournefringe.com.au/fringe-festival/show/safety-first/

5 Good Reasons to see Notanotion by Billy O’Reilly and Firdi Billimoria

5 Good Reasons from Billy & Firdi
1) Notanotion is a show written by comedians Firdi Billimoria & Billy O’Reilly, but ironically is performed by Billy O’Reilly and Firdi BIllimoria who are comics. Not only does it feature stand-up comedy, but it will also feature sketches, videos, and a contrived kidnapping. 2 comedians for the price of something that costs $15

2) Notanotion is a made up word, which could mean anything. It also could mean something. The thing that it means could be revealed to you if you come to the show. Other revelations during the show include the origins of a Sopranos guest cast member, the winner in a Root Vegetable verbal battle, and the truth behind the mental health industry.

3) Notanotion is playing at Club Voltaire in North Melbourne. A venue renowned for its support of diverse and innovative artists, but probably more renowned for its covert location. Tucked away in a small side street in North Melbourne, your friends will think you are on the cusp of the in-crowd by leading them to this magical hidden venue. Our recommendation, while walking down the Raglan St, look over your shoulder suspiciously a couple of times, and when you reach the door pretend to make a phone call and utter the words “The lyre bird sings in the pale moonlight,” and then pretend to hang up. If you follow those steps, your friends will hit “Like” more often when you post status updates about your uninteresting life.

4) Notanotion is playing right around the corner from the Fringe Hub, so you have the opportunity to see a multitude of other awesome shows right before or after it (look…. we know you also have the option to see other awesome shows during Notanotion, but we dont want to say that, so we’re not going to OK…OK?) And then maybe head to the Fringe Club, for a some beverages, artistic indecency and general sadness.

5) The following will not be a result of watching Notanotion: Diarrhea, delusions of grandeur, bipolar disorder, dysentery, a sense of decorum, syphilis, feline AIDs or dream fulfillment. The following will: chortles, lols, rofls, and other irritating acronyms.

Notanotion is playing at the always groovy Club Voltaire 14 Raglan St. North Melbourne at 8.30pm

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

5 Good Reasons to see Simon Chugg is: Living the Dream

5 Good Reasons to see Simon Chugg is: Living the Dream

1. It will be the most entertaining hour of stand-up, storytelling and music about lucid dreaming, He-man, Timothy Leary and Vince Neil that you’ll see this Fringe. Or your money back.*

2. Simon Chugg has written, collaborated and performed with some of Australia’s best comedians and musicians including Michael Chamberlin, Charlie Clausen (TOFOP) and Tim Minchin.

3. Simon co-wrote and directed Lisa-Skye’s directing Lisa-Skye’s 2012 critically acclaimed LADYBONER “[(a) wickedly funny walk on the wild side… stars – Herald Sun]”.

4. Simon was a 2013 Raw comedy finalist.

5. Don’t trust me, I have a vested interest in your attendance at the show. Check out the latest trailer and decide for yourself:  https://www.facebook.com/events/577725075620641/

Simon Chugg is performing Living The Dream at Loop Bar

http://www.melbournefringe.com.au/fringe-festival/show/simon-chugg-is-living-the-dream/

5 good reasons to see Neil Sinclair’s Charmingly Useless

Neil’s 5 good reasons to see Charmingly Useless

1. It’s very funny… let’s cut to the chase here, funny is what we’re after.

2. It has a lot of jokes in it. I mean a lot… jokes like “I was eating a salad earlier and it contained both chicken and egg… I ddn’t know where to start”

3. It’s at this years most exciting venue, The Imperial, and the ticket get’s you cheap booze from the bar.

4. It’s a best of, so if you’ve ever been curious what my shows are like… this is the one to try

5. I cover none of the important issues of the day… none, and that’s a promise.

If you’ve not seen this RAW winning comedian before (and you should), this should be a good introduction for you.

Neil Sinclair’s Charmingly Useless will be on at The Imperial from Sept 29th at 8pm

Neil’s own website: