A double bill of improvised theatre, Act I sees the world premiere of an innovative, fun, and artistic improvised theatre show format, “PONG!”, inspired by the original world’s first video game of the same name, with the improv batted back and forth between performers, and you’ll fall in love during Act II’s “Duets” in a beautiful combination of songs and relationship scenes that will make you laugh, cry, and find room in your heart for everyone around you. Leave your preconceived ideas of improvisation at the door and simply allow yourself some warm inspiration at this Impro ACT double feature.
ACT I – “PONG!” a world premiere format directed by Nick Byrne
In the early 70’s, it was literally the only video game – a simple vertical white line on either side of your cathode-ray TV screen, that you could control up and down to hit a dot back to your partner, like tennis. Translated to the stage by Impro ACT’s Artistic Director, Nick Byrne, solo improvisers in corners of the stage get their time in the spotlight at the whim of the referee who takes the ball back and forth between their spots, until the game picks up speed and they become duo scenes and eventually a four-hand game of doubles in a high stakes relationship scene that goes well beyond sport.
Nick Byrne is recently returned from touring professional improvised theatre across Europe, Africa, and Asia. Known worldwide as a creator of new theatre formats, you’ll be the first ever to see PONG!, right here at our city’s spiritual home of theatre, Canberra REP.
Act II – “Duets” songs and scenes of love by the Impro ACT ensemble
Warm vibes to cure a Canberra winter.
“Duets” was a hit in it’s 2023 debut season, for its simple and beautiful formula of an improvised love song inspiring improvised relationship scenes inspiring more improvised love songs inspiring the actors to forget the format and blend the two modes and simply allow you to fall in love, too.
You’ll see and hear every type of relationship you can imagine, sometimes as absurdly funny as our love lives can be, sometimes as tragic, and sometimes as purely magical as your life is destined to become.
“Duets” is a little treat especially for you, because we love you.
After a night of PONG! and Duets, you’ll be looking forward to life, and hopefully looking forward to coming again, the next night, because whilst the formats are the same, the content is completely different every single time. We improvise.
PERFORMANCE DATES & TIMES
Thursday 13 August, 7:30pm
Friday 14 August, 7:30pm
Saturday 15 August, 7:30pm
TICKETS
Standard — $37.50
Concession (Full Time Student, Concession Card, Seniors Card) — $29.50
Group (8+) — $29.50
Child (under 16) — $25
All web and telephone sales are subject to a $4 per transaction Booking Fee
