IMFEST: Day 3

Okay. I’m not gonna do the “I can’t believe it’s already insert day here” thing in this blog again. So let me just say that I find it completely credible that IMFEST: The 3rd Annual Montreal Improv Festival is now into its closing weekend.

Last night marked show #3 of IMFEST. First off, I gotta say that as we head into the home stretch that I am incredibly busy and don’t really have a lot of time to dedicate to today’s blog.

So, keeping that in mind, there was an improv fest show last night at Mainline Theatre and it was good and people laughed a lot.

K? Thanks. Bye!

All right. All right. Maybe I can go into a little bit more detail than that.

Last night at a gathering of The Association of People Who Don’t Care About Political Debates, Edmonton’s Rapid Fire Theatre opened the show at Mainline Theatre (after a bit of loafing around by yours truly). They performed what is now, as far as I’m confirmed, their trademark short form style. Kirsten Rassmussen did a wonderfully unique take on the suggestion of “Angry Hippy” and Joe Vanderhelm played an entirely convincing Chihuahua.

Bryan Walsh and Marc Rowland represented Without Annette next. They pulled off the risky feat of a two person improvised mini-play with aplomb. I particularly enjoyed Brian’s true story about his ingenious anti-bully strategy while attending rough high school in Point-Aux-Trembles. I’d explain it in detail but I don’t want to give away any secret techniques ‘cause there might be bullies out there reading this.

Finally, Montreal’s “Titans of Improv” (The Gazette), On The Spot Improv took the stage. Last night’s line-up of Brian Wrench, Robert Higden, Lea Rondot and Tommy Malone kept things moving at a brisk pace. The troupe displayed great spontaneous flexibility when an audience volunteer in audience participation scene turned out to be the “strong silent type”.

The night was closed out with a scene that involved the players having to speak 101 words per line (just to remind everyone that we are in Quebec) and the improv classic freeze.

My day as IMFEST organizer ended with a call from Jonathan Pitts of Storybox Theatre telling me that at 12:30 AM, he and his Windy City gang were still over an hour outside of the city (after over 14 hours of driving!). Hey, I’ve always said that Chicago improvisers are very dedicated to their craft.

You’ll be able to see just how dedicated they are as Storybox makes their Montreal debut tonight at Mainline Theatre. Also in the show, TSC Improv and Uncalled For. Plus the Best of the Fest All Star show at The Comedy Nest afterwards (not the Comedyworks-everyone always confuses the two).

More on all of that demain (that means “tomorrow” for the Chicago guys).

Terence Bowman
Head Honcho/Big Cheese
IMFEST

PS: photos return tomorrow!