It’s the box of chocolates principle … when you go to improv theatre you never know what you are going to get. Maddie Parker’s improv show PLUS ONE has had a short run at the Sydney Comedy Festival. Her Festival debut, the show is a nutty, chewy, sweet confection that leaves you wanting more. It helps that she had a scene partner extraordinaire in Carlo Richie from The Bear Pack. Like cocoa and sugar, they swirl theatrically together in delicious ways for 50 minutes of fun.
Starting with getting a word from the audience. That’s after explaining to one of the noisier crowd members that the show was a vulva-free zone. And banter-free, too, as she and Richie decided to eschew the ‘So … How’s your week?’ and launch straight into the world building. Helpfully someone closer to the front suggested ‘castle’. Offer accepted and we were clip cloppy on our way into a world of too many cesspits, a distinct lack of drawbridge and a very peculiar grammar lesson.
From here it was a leap of faith into a yoghurt riddled story, a casual naval uniform Friday and a star mopper (not a misprint). There was also an ethics lecture from a gin swilling 9 year old, a poorly equipped father with zero social boundaries and Warsaw-bound over-achiever. Each of the short improvisation pieces utilised the well-honed skills of the two performers to bring a range of laughter from titters to belly wobblers and a variety of characters to people the small stage.
One of the highlights of the show was Richie’s mime skills. Whether washing dishes almost completely on automatic around the story, or finely indicating a lime squeeze that looked delicious, his instinct for naturalism is a bit spooky. The sucking of a boiled lolly an hysterical treat. And the way Parker allows his effacing brilliance to shine is replete and generous.
Always receptive, never blocking or grandstanding Parker is laid back and immersed. She allows the scenario to develop with grace and knows when to call “Scene”. On occasion, though, she will run with it. With an idea, a joke, or a gag build up that adds a variety to proceedings. Because, at its heart, watching improv is watching people talk.
That’s the attraction surely. Take out the actorly, take away the set and props, take on anything suggested and so do with no apparent nerves, no evident uneasiness and a completely charming desire to give laughter. That’s what I want to see. And that’s what PLUS ONE delivered on a cold Sunday afternoon … a warm, comically rich sweetie.
Though PLUS ONE has finished you can see more of Maddie Parker’s work in the all female troupe Confetti Gun [Facebook]. They have a new gig coming up soon. And you can follow Carlo Richie at the Facebook for The Bear Pack.