Improv has long been the ugly stepchild of live theatre and I, for one, have never understood why improvisational shows can’t fill bigger venues and get the same kind of buzz as, in my opinion, less exciting forms of theatre (um, Shakespeare, anyone?).
So, here we are with local improv magician Dave Morris’ Photo Booth, a clever, always changing show that, unlike most live theatre presentations, you could actually see two nights in a row with the same level of anticipation and enjoyment.
I attended the Friday night show with strong intention to go again and see Saturday’s as I write this (update: I did). Reviewing improv is almost the same concept as doing improv. It’s different every time and what you get is what you’re stuck with, but sometimes that can be an amazing production (like Morris’ was on Friday). Other times, the words stumble from the mouth, or fall dead on the page, and you get a total dud (hopefully not Saturday night, Dave: fingers crossed). Recapping, yes, you get what you get, end of story. Kinda like getting pictures taken in a photo booth.
Morris is a true master. Anyone that’s seen him in the many of his productions, or hosting local improv nights, already knows this. And some Victoria Fringe Festival-goers know this from another mounting of Photo Booth last August. The 40 or so people who crammed into the rather tiny Intreprid Theatre Club on Friday night now know this as well.
At the beginning of Photo Booth, Morris is given three physical poses and three show titles. He takes what seems like seconds, cues his trusty lighting and sound guy (who also improvises, by the way), and it’s go time. An hour or so later we have a fully realized story that incorporates the three poses and the three titles. There are laughs, tender moments, some near-tears, and a few minutes of excitement via action scenes (on this night we got mountain-climbing madness and swashbuckling sword fights). Then, well, the show is over and you’ve gotten something really quite special that will never, ever be seen again.
Or, you can go see Hamlet for the 26th time. Your call.