What happens when you have a stage full of set and prop pieces, three actors, and no script in sight? Improvisational theatre, that’s what! Unwritten: The Improv Show both teaches audiences the tools to perform improv while also delighting them with skits and long-form improv pieces. Directed by YPT’s Artistic Director Herbie Barns, Unwritten is fun for the young and young-at-heart.
Unwritten: The Improv Show truly doesn’t have a script, rather the actors run through exercises to exemplify different strategies and methods of performing improvisational theatre. There’s plenty of audience participation involved, as the young audience members are asked for suggestions and topics throughout the performance. My favourite game was “Principal’s Office” where one actor left the room while the audience was asked what they’d done (a bad habit or pet peeve), who they were with (a celebrity), and where they did said thing (a famous place or landmark). Then the actor comes back in the room while the other two drop hints to help them figure out why they’re in the principal’s office. This could be an amazing party game and certainly garnered plenty of laughter from the audience.
I attended a school performance, which was a very exciting way to see the show. Before attending the production, each class was asked to submit a series of suggestions for the actors in various categories which they then drew on throughout their long-form improv piece. Hearing the students cheer and clap when their suggestion was pulled was wonderful; you could feel how invested and excited they were about what they were watching. I was thinking what a great way this is to get young people interested not only in traditional theatre, but in improv and comedy as well. During the Q&A session, they also had interesting questions about their process and the actors relationship with their work. Hopefully a production like Unwritten will ignite a life-long passion for theatre in these young audiences!
Tim Blair, Lisa Merchant, and Paloma Nuñez are the talented team performing Unwritten. Their unique chemistry, trust in one another, and expertise make this production the hilarious experience it is. Their sense of humour, comedic timing, and off-handed comments make the show fun for audience members of all ages. I really appreciated how they interacted with the younger audience members and made everyone feel heard and involved; and there were only three or four schools when I was there, a full house will be a delightful challenge and I’m sure nothing they can’t handle.
If you’re a “Who’s Line is it Anyway?” fan, or your little one wants to learn more about improv and theatre, I absolutely recommend you take them to see Unwritten. While there are only school performances throughout the week, there are two shows this weekend which are open to the public. Make sure you get your tickets ASAP! For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.youngpeoplestheatre.org/shows-tickets/unwritten-the-improv-show/
Cover Photo: Paloma Nuñez and Tim Blair
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