Scenes From Communal Living

Sketch improvised comedy. I think that's the best way of considering this hybrid. If you're not familiar with the concept, it works thusly: it's standard improvised comedy, drawing upon the audience to get a scene started with an idea for a location / happening / event / conflict / other thing. But the twist comes from the stage; every scene is supposed to be set in a flat share, so we are to witness, in actuality, a scene from communal living. Do you see what they did they?

It's a great breed of improvised comedy, setting up only two parameters (flatshare & idea from audience). The cast rotates, both between Sunday night gigs, and during the show between who comes in to do a scene. They even take turns compering between scenes, encouraging the audience to be inventive and challenge their scenes.

From the first scene (a call-centre worker telling her flatmate about her promotion - with a deliciously softly-spoken American artist played by Partridge) I realised the idea had subtle depth to it, beyond other standard improvised shows. Because the actors aren't exactly playing a game, they're not rushing to score points over each other, each scene was longer than what one might expect from an improv show, and given far more time to develop some sort of plot. That was where I marvelled at the technique of the night. Time after time, a scene might be slowing fading away, but a character could revitalise it in a moment with a sudden announcement, disagreement or even just a sigh and a shrug. Rather than a scene of one part, charging in at the start and building and rushing to some sort of final punch, instead I watched as a comic tapestry was weaved before my eyes, with ups and downs, a veritable pulse, that to me was even more enjoyable than the humour contained.

Partridge's artist was fantastic, but so was his World of Warcraft playing hardman; Parris dazzled, confidently moving between accents and seeming to do no wrong on stage. Meanwhile Broderick, Smallman and Fostekew (and I do so hope I've got the names right) all were on top form too. A Polish woman terrified of racism and a touching scene about growing little goats between Carly and Jess both stick in the memory. Parris and Broderick's final scene, the show closer, about discussing an unexpected event at a party the night before (this time, morris dancing, of all things), was both tender and hilarious. I suppose one could argue morris dancing is itself comedy gold. I'd be tempted to say it was the actors' technique that brought that about.

McCure's master plan is to make something branded, a show that can be packaged up and put on anywhere. He's already had a successful run in Sidney alongside the London run that closes on 20th December, but he aims next year to put together Melbourne and Toronto Scenes From Communal Living. It's a bold ambition, but when it works, as it did last Sunday, it's hilarious to watch.

***

22 November 2009, The Etcetera Theatre, Camden

performed byRachel Parris, Charlie Partridge, Rob Broderick, Carly Smallman, Jessica Fostekew

dir. & conceived by Stewart McCure