Review-Impromptu Pantomime-HKPFF
8-11-14
By: Lynn Gong
No pre-written scripts, no dialogue, no set design or props. There were folded Post-it notes on which the audience wrote down “object”, “location” and “event” and they put them into several colorful magic hats. The audience picked one or a few words from the hats and set the trigger; then the performers (Eric, Betty, Ricky and Plato Timothy) transformed themselves into animals or objects, constructed different settings and narrated short, memorable moments. It was a challenging task to keep improvising gags with their bodies, but the performers certainly did a great job as the audience found themselves almost always smiling or laughing out aloud.
The 90-min show was very reasonably separated into different parts. It started with the performers’ taking turns to act according to the “object” category notes randomly picked by the audience. Eric Chan, also the Founder and Director of Silence Theatre, did some impressive, professional performances when he elaborated each vocabulary into a short yet complete story with climactic endings. Now remember that he had to act out immediately after getting the word! The performers were then required to carry out other tasks, from acting out emotions individually and putting up improvised short plays together. This structuring of the show made sure that the audience would not get bored and that the performers would not repeat themselves after running out of gags.(There was only one time when the performer couldn’t help speaking out “this gag again?” and the audience had such a good laugh).
What is best about Impromptu Pantomime is that it was bound to bring a lot of surprises. Thanks to your “crazy” fellow audience members, you would constantly be surprised by what could be written on the notes. Yes, one “event” category note goes like “holding in pee when you can’t use the bathroom.” Then there was the hilarious combination of “object”, “location” and “event” or that of the “event” and emotions (a series of emotions that were to be picked by the audience). So the task for performers could sound really funny. It so happened that one performer Betty Leong had to act out emotions of anxiety, sadness, agony, depression etc. while “holding in pee when you can’t use the bathroom.” Her portrayal of a character in this critical situation was very amusing. Moreover, some task designs innovatively created some unexpected comical effects.
The show’s last task Action Solitaire began with an event dictated by the notes but it went on into unpredictable directions. Only 2 performers were allowed to perform on the stage. However, another performer can always ring the bell, freeze the scene and replace one of the 2 performers with his/her new body position. When the scene resumes, the 2 new performers might then act out a completely different story. So one moment it might be a slow motion fighting scene; in another, the new scene might become a duet dance. The four performers showcased their creativity and teamwork while creating many entertaining moments.
I can see that there is room for improvement in terms of some performers’ professionalism and the background music but these did not bother me much while I was watching the show. My only worry is that non-Chinese speakers might need a Chinese-speaking friend for Impromptu Pantomime. But given the large amount of bodily humor, it would not be hard for non-Chinese speakers to understand as long as the instructions are given in English.
If you need a hearty laugh after a long week, if you want to sit back and relax but still enjoy sharing some of your crazy ideas, Impromptu Pantomime will be a perfect choice. There are no overtly brainy jokes but if you feel like there is a child inside you or if you don’t have a problem with so-called “lowbrow” gags, you will enjoy it as I did.
Impromptu Pantomime has now closed. For more information about the Fringe Festival, click here.
Comments
No comment at the moment.