Thursday 23 May 2013

“Anything could happen, and will!” on June 1, when the Tropical North Theatre Company presents the annual Port Douglas Theatresports competition at Mudlow Street’s Clink Theatre.

Now in its third year, Shaun Cram and Bruno Bennett will judge a mix of TNTC pros and brave locals, competing as teams of four.

Inspired by the “working-class theatre” techniques used in professional wrestling to generate audience reaction, England-born director Keith Johnstone developed Theatresports in England in the 1950s, before taking it to Calgary and Canadians in 1977.

Now, more than three and a half decades later, Johnstone is considered a founding father of modern improvisation, with his ‘sport’ known and enjoyed around the world, and responsible for launching the careers of Australian comics Julia Zemiro, Andrew Denton and Andrew O’Keefe. Over the years, Johnstone’s original format evolved to include a referee or panel of judges to award points and penalise teams for breaking the rules. Television shows including Australia’s Thank God You’re Here and the US hit Whose Line Is It Anyway? follow this style.

As the above title suggests, Port Douglas competitors will be script-free on June 1. At the start of each scene, teams call on audience members to shout out suggestions for inspiration, like characters or places. Heckling is encouraged. With the emphasis on spontaneity and collaborative storytelling among teammates, there’s no room for ego. Generally subscribing to the philosophy that “Yes, and…” will get you everywhere, teammates must work together to ad-lib, accepting all propositions and taking every opportunity to advance the scene. Of course, in the end, audience laughter level determines a winner.

Tickets are available now on www.trybooking.com, or on the night from The Clink and Origin Espresso in Port Douglas, and Goodies in Mossman.

Cost: Full price $20, Members/Concession $18