Bristol is rapidly becoming something of a centre for improvised theatre and getting an early warm up for the forthcoming Bristol Improv. Theatre Festival (BITFest) Closer Each Day last night gave the latest instalment of their improvised soap opera which is now a regular feature of the Wardrobe.
The thing about improv, particularly if the cast are in the dark as to plot, Is that nobody knows what to expect at any given moment. This can lead to mind a numbing clutch on to detail as actors thrash around for any means of staying afloat, or at its best, flights of fancy that defy all logic and lead both cast and audience into uncharted and often unchartable territory. It is a medium equally attractive to quick-witted stand-up comedians and actors with a gift for characterization alike. Too often it is a test of the former without sufficient regard to the latter. That is to say, if actors were to concentrate on building a character in which they were at ease there would be less of a tendency to feel the need to fill the lacunae with babble. They could do worse than get themselves to a Pinter play where they would realize that silence could be their friend.
In last night’s show one of the most memorable bits was when Big Dick Johnson (John Lomas), a petty villain, and Fred Gonzalez (Andrew Kingston), a local bar owner and radio broadcaster, face up to each other in a not-blinking competition as part of their ongoing paternity quarrel over the forthcoming nativity of Constance’s baby. The face-off needed no dialogue and was all the better for it.
Constance (Lindsey Garwood) had clearly been having a good time such that any and all of the male community of Newtown were in the frame as putative father whilst all the women clucked round with useful advice on childbirth. The other characters from the fictional Newtown and the often bizarre plots (coriander baby food sales!) have helped gain Closer Each Day a loyal following for their fortnightly spot and the twists in plot, the odd well turned line and occasional on-stage sparring produced much hilarity.
Standup is now firmly established as a sub-genre and for one reason or another, perhaps its open-endedness and informality included, has become very popular. With a pint from downstairs to keep you going you might very well get hooked and find yourself going back to see how the unpredictable plots develop. ★★★☆☆ Graham Wyles 04/02/15
