Numbers were down at the show simply because the show was competing with the All Blacks and the dreaded lurgies attacking those hearty followers.

With one player out due to suspected Covid (update: thankfully not) and another called away, the Honest Liars roped in one of the newbies and one from the crew to make up a full complement of players on stage.

Matt stepped up as Emcee for the first time and proved his excellent improv skills easily spilt over into the job. The audience was slightly reduced because of the nasties floating around the community. On top of that, there was the All Blacks’ game against the Irish. Who can compete with that! But those who were there enjoyed an evening of improvisation comedy, and the laughs were abundant.

This was a special show as all the proceeds were going to Gender Dynamix and Rainbow Youth to help rebuild their building which had burned down after a vicious arson attack.

Balloons, flags and paper umbrellas adorned the room to make the evening more festive.

With the open bar and the audience warmed up by Matt and the first game of ‘Categories’ warming up the players, it was straight into ‘Limited Words’ where newbie Steve was assigned eight words, Kevin three and Sue one. The three of them were planning a Bar mitzvah with their limited words. With just one word, Sue got out “snip” as she had confused the Bar mitzvah with a Bris – easy to do. And like any grand celebration, there was more than enough food resulting in stomach troubles for all.

After the Bar mitzvah, the players went into the game ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’. Three players advised how to overcome getting old, find a boyfriend and stop your dog pooping on the floor.

‘Foreign Film Dub’ was a Russian film about Aubergine capitalism. Ian and Kelly’s translations were wildly outrageous as Sue and Kevin played out the crashing rouble and the rise of the aubergine as the new currency. All of it went horribly wrong as the aubergine turned mushy in Kevin’s pocket.

The crowd favourite of ‘Pocket Note’ saw Ian, Sally and Sue planning a trip to Japan with the Squid Games being high on the agenda.

Watch the snippet to see what happened.

 

 

Kelly was excellent at guessing the contestant’s quirks on ‘The Dating Game’. As the erotic coin collector, Kevin had to ward off Ian, who had an erogenous zone on his nose. Sally had the idea she was a pot plant and wasn’t too happy when Ian thought he saw some sooty mould on her leaves.

‘Hollywood Director’ saw Brett making the players act out his blockbuster movie “The Honest Liars go to the Zoo” in various themes. From playing their roles as ants, being synchronised swimmers, and being Vikings on the Moon, the players had to keep to the “script” but certainly improvise the scenes.

The show wrapped up with another visit to the ‘Themed Restaurant’. This time it was set in Hell, a wickedly evil place for all sorts of food and beverages, wacky waiters, and a bill paid off by eternal damnation.

As it was a chilly night, the players stayed in the theatre for after-show drinks. This meant they were also able to mingle with some of the audience.

Thanks to players

Brett Kevin Sally

Sue Ian Steve

Thanks to the Crew: Fee

 

Book your tickets for the next show and join the players for loads of laughs.

1^st Saturday of every month.
16th Ave Theatre.
16th Avenue, Tauranga.
Show Starts: 7.30 p.m.
Licenced bar available.