Still, for regular folks, Theatresports is one of those things that threatens to dredge up uncomfortable memories of high school drama classes long suppressed. “Let me guess, the only one you can think of is Space Jump? And you hated it,” says Amor, a longtime Space Jump detractor. “I hate Space Jump, if I had my way I’d kill Space Jump. It’s ruining people’s perceptions. I guarantee no Space Jump!”
Amor got his first taste of improvised theatre starting out at St. Martin’s Youth Arts Centre more than 20 years ago. “Unlike most people I never had it at school, so it completely blew me away. It was the closest thing to vaudeville that I could do. Music, comedy and pathos all in one show!”
While he has garnered various other acting credits over the intervening decades, he still finds himself hankering for the excitement of improv. “I wish it could be a full time job, that would be fantastic. The truth of it is the majority of the people do it because they love it. It’s like a non-threatening drug, once you’ve had your first hit you kind of have to go back for some more.”
Amor is a member of Hoof Hearted, one of eight teams who have been fighting it out since May for a place in the Theatresports Grand Final. Highlights of the season so far? An absurd theatre set inside a vacuum bag (if you can imagine) and timely tribute to the late James Gandolfini.
“One of the myths we are constantly trying to dispel is that it is only played one way and it hasn’t been changed in 20 years. One of the things Impro Melbourne is doing in leaps and bounds is playing with what Theatresports is and what it can be,” says Amor. “In a night you can have a variety of really funny scenes with the sort of physical comedy and verbal dexterity and wit that can only be captured on the run. When you’re making it up. We’ve had songs and musical numbers, even an improvised rock opera.”
Certainly the lack of forward planning means that every show is one off and never to be repeated. “One of the great things is that a team could fail or flop. If done correctly it won’t matter and is just as exciting as watching a scene that flies,” and when Amor remembers a scene, it’s usually for all the wrong reasons. He recalls getting up close and personal with Jordan from the Axis of Awesome, “[Jordan] took off his sock and wore it on his hand like a hand puppet and then made me kiss it. Being the good improviser that I am, I accepted. It took me weeks to get the smell off my tongue.”
This kind of commitment is not uncommon amongst competitors, many of whom have been doing improv together for years. Some Impro Melbourne regulars include Jason Geary (who you might remember as the guy from the iSelect ads), Rik Brown, Anna Renzenbrink, Jimmy James Eaton and Amanda Buckley. Amor says that all the teams are happy to help each other out. “We’ll jump into each other’s scenes, be [part of the] background, create soundscapes, be trees. There’s a great sense of play, it’s infectious and the audience can’t help but be involved.”
Many families attend the shows and caring and sharing is a big part of the Theatresports doctrine, but Amor assures that while audience participation is more than welcomed, it certainly won’t be mandated. He adds that improv is not just for budding thespians and can be a great way to build self confidence and public speaking skills. “We have a rigorous training program which involves ninja like entrances and lifting burning pots of molten lead with your forearm,” he jests. “I guess in some ways most people fear public speaking, getting up in front of a crowd and having to talk. The improviser is that rare breed of person who lives off the moment and getting up in front of people. Still, it’s a really good philosophy, this notion of saying ‘yes’ to life in general.”
Crowd favourites this year have included, Hoof Hearted and Citizen Wayne, but Amor warnsDouble Denim is not to be discounted. Lucky audiences might also get to see a barbershop quartet from the Suspenders of Disbelief, “If you’re lucky, or unlucky.”
At this stage the grand final remains somewhat shrouded in mystery, but audiences can be assured of comicality, musicality and perhaps even some celebrity guests. “We’ll see who ends up on stage at the grand final, the main thing is we don’t know what is going to happen. The audience can be guaranteed of nothing. Or I guess of something. There is also a perennial tradition of throwing out lollies during the show. So, if nothing else, you come away with a sweet tooth.”
BY JO ROBIN
