‘Jonesing’ for a live performance or a trip to the theatre, yet too lazy to leave, or rather is nothing currently available in the area? Not to worry, as WOW has that covered. In January of 2020, improvers Susan Harrison and Justin Brett took over the Boulevard Theatre with a live show that’s creation stemmed in the moment from the audience’s participation. The show, titled These Folk at the Boulevard Theatre ran for about half an hour and kept the audience in constant laughter as the two actors performed and sang on the spot based on just a few questions they asked of their attending audience.
The show, titled These Folk at the Boulevard Theatre ran for about half an hour and kept the audience in constant laughter as the two actors performed and sang on the spot based on just a few questions they asked of their attending audience.
In the show, Brett and Harrison are joined onstage by their musical accompanists Rosie Bergonzi and Curtis Volp who strum and drum along as the actors make up dialogue and song lyrics from playing off one another. The show begins with a brief introductory of the new theatre they are in before, in typical improvisation, they ask a few members of the audience a question or two to build their subject matter from. Then, the two players use the information to create a folk-like story with original dialogue and made up tunes with the help of their musicians who sit off to the side and play. The show’s design aims for laughs, as much depends on their timing and how cleverly both Brett and Harrison are able to play off each other, all whilst insuring that what they’ve created makes sense with the original topics they started on with the help of their audience.
Both actors show themselves as true professionals. They are both comical, as shown by the audience, and it’s very clear on the initial viewing that they’ve both done this before. Their singing is also up to par as they work together to created melodies and harmonies that coincide with one another, and above all else, are humorous as getting laughs are the top priority with this show. Harrison and Brett both have exceptional timing, and they have an adept ability in implementing comedic call-backs to other things that happened earlier in the show. They’re in a constant engagement with their live audience, and those attending seem to understand the bits and pieces that make up this farcical story the actors have concocted based on very limited information. The meat of the show is in the wittiness, as everything else is icing on the cake, and is even rather simple. The stage is effectively lit, with no set, though whoever is running lights is just as engaged in the improve-like nature of the show, dimming and spotting when appropriate. The musicians are a fine touch as well, giving the show a much needed elevation.
The show has already happened, but that’s fine, as it’s now on YouTube for free and can also be found on the ‘what’s on stage’ website at no charge. So for the improve fans, and theatre goers, this one is a fun and quick way to get a laugh and try something different.
