the cube Archives - Honest Liars Improv

The Heat Was Ramped Up!

By hlimprovers | March 24, 2024

It wasn’t the Honest Liars’ fault that the heat was ramped up!

Well, that was what the players said.

The Honest Liars arrived at the theatre full of laughter and ready to get into the games. Even the warm-up had everyone in stitches, which bode well for the show. The first patron arrived early, sending the players from the stage to the back room. A couple of players took off to the bathroom when suddenly, the fire alarm shattered the peace.

Thankfully, the 16th Ave Theatre president was on hand and immediately issued the evacuation order. So everyone made their way outside to the curb, standing around wondering why. Could it have been one of the missing players? They were both thoroughly questioned when they appeared on the pavement.

There was no time to worry if this event was going to stop the show as not one but two fire trucks turned into 16th Avenue with sirens blaring.

Out came the firefighters. Poor chaps had no chance with the female Honest Liars watching their every move and asking if they were in the 2024 calendar. The heat was certainly ramped up as the firefighters made their way into the building.

The all-clear came, but not before the players grabbed a group selfie with the fire engine.

Safely back indoors, the audience members began arriving, giving themselves enough time to get a drink and find their seats. Then it was Show Time, and Jon ran out onto the stage to welcome all and let the games begin.

Now, the players do look out for one another, and this was made abundantly clear as Kathy spied the untied shoelace on Jon’s shoe and so helpfully tied it up for him. Of course, this went along with a lot of banter, and, like the show, nothing is scripted.

The opening warm-up game ‘Sex With Me Is Like’ began with “tying my shoes” (no surprise there), but it brought out all sorts of improv, like the use of leather, young boys, tongues and Velcro.

A few favourites were played, and then a new game called ‘Faster, Faster, Backwards’ was introduced to the audience. The idea of this game is that a scene is acted out in two minutes, then the same scene is repeated in one minute, then 30 seconds, then 15 seconds, and it ends with the whole scene going backwards. Set in a hospital, the story took all sorts of twists and turns, from Ramen noodles to chopping off an arm.

When it got to the 30-second round, the players were hectic but still had control and told the story.

‘The Dating Game’ saw Steve, who lived in his mother’s basement and didn’t get out often, talking to the three contestants: Sue, a Shame Therapist; Sally, who had a waste management obsession; and Ian, who was morphing into a dragon.

One of the questions he asked was, “What kind of sandwich would you be?”

The Shame Therapist replied, “How do you feel about crusts?”

The waste management obsessor, “What does your mother do with the crusts?”

And the dragon said that “steak and burnt toast” would be his favourite.

Here, he asks the shame therapist what her username would be.

In the game ‘He Said, She Said,’ the scene was a jailbreak. Kathy was making a wooden chainsaw, which Brett snatched away from her. Even though these two had shared a cell, it was only now that Brett saw the large cauldron and realized that the chainsaw was magic.

Now, the trick to this game is that each of the players directs the other in some form of movement before saying their line. Kathy directed Brett to dance, which had the audience in fits, but not before Brett had directed Kathy to first show him the dance moves.

The dancing created the magic so the chainsaw could do its thing and create a hole through which she could get through. But as she did, the hole closed up, leaving Brett dancing for his life to get the hole open again.

The show ended, and the Honest Liars had successfully delivered another round of improv games. It was time to turn out the lights, turn off the music, and head home with a head full of laughter and fun.

But don’t worry, another show will be held on the first Saturday of next month, and you can get tickets here:

A great show – Thanks to the players

Brett
Ian
Jon – Emcee
Kelly

Mark
Steve
Gala
Kevin

and…

Crew: Fee
Sound engineer: Anthony.

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.

First Show of 2024

By hlimprovers | February 10, 2024

A packed-out crowd turned up for the first show of 2024, and the players were on fire!

The skies opened, and the gods sent down a bucket load of rain almost as if they were saying, “Now let’s see who is going to venture out tonight!”. But it was all in vain because the players turned up and were ready to perform improv for the packed-out audience.

The first game, ‘Sex with Me is Like….’, got the audience and the players into the laugh-out-loud mood. With descriptions like:

“Sex with me is like eating Chinese food because I’ll eat anything.”

“Sex with me is like eating Chinese food because I never have enough.”

“Sex with me is like eating Chinese food because my wife gets upset when I bring some home”, and there were others, such as “Sex with me is like launching a boat…

Of course, there’s no show without the game ‘Pocket Note’, and the players didn’t disappoint. With the suggestion of a theme park and one person not wanting to be there, it soon transpired that Gala’s ‘son’ Ian, was scared of everything the park offered, including Steve the clown, who turned up with balloons in hand.

From lines from the notes:

“Can you please stop scratching?”

“How many goodly creatures are there here?”

“My wife’s having a baby”, which turned the clown into a sad, complaining employee who had to be at the park.

Finally, with the words from the lawyer they had on the phone, “I won’t pass the drug test”, the story ended.

It’s amazing where these stories go from simple suggestions from the audience.

In ‘Scene Three Ways’, the suggestion of pottery the game began with Kelly attending the Pottery 101 course. Gala soon had her on the wheel and creating a vase when Brett, a ghostly figure, began the haunting. Of course, the two women couldn’t see him, but as Jon, the director, changed the genre from romance to horror to porn, the ghost upset the pottery experience at every turn.

Once again, ‘Sign Language Interpreter’ had the laughter at full volume as Kelly mimed what was being said between Kevin, the interviewer, and Brett, the Professor who taught cows yoga.

If you want to watch the whole game, go to our YouTube channel.

The Dating Game had three contestants vying for the bachelor’s approval. Kelly was transforming into a tree, Gala was Courtney Love, and Brett was obsessed with toothpicks. You think they were strange; the bachelor wasn’t that much better. See for yourself:

After a few more games, such as ‘Foreign Film Dub’, ‘The Returns Desk’ and ‘The Cube’, it was time to wrap it up with the grand finale of ‘The Twitch’, which saw Jon interviewing for a funeral director without much luck. Each prospective candidate had come with some form of twitch or mannerism that Jon had to copy. The trouble was that quite a few were being interviewed, which had Jon entirely exhausted by the end.

On that note, the show was over, and the audience meandered out of the theatre still with smiles on their faces. The players relaxed with a well-earned drink before heading home, satisfied with their fun night.

Thanks to players

Brett
Kelly
Ian
Mark

Steve
Gala
Kevin
Jon (MC)

Thanks to

Crew: Fee
Sound engineer: Anthony.

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.

It’s An Improv Comedy Christmas

By hlimprovers | January 12, 2024

It’s Christmas! That means an improv comedy Christmas show, and what a show it was.

A large group booking meant that the theatre filled up quickly, then the other bookings and walk-ins added to the audience, and by the time the players ran onto the stage, the crowd was already in high spirits. There was a good round of applause as Jon introduced the motley crew, the Honest Liars.

In the last show, LINK, the warm-up game of ‘Sex with Me is Like’ was such a hit that it was decided to do it again. And what a good decision. The first suggestion of “Sex with me is like a tennis ball because….” produced from the players such zingers as:

“… no one knows why it’s so furry.”

“… I always make a racket.”

“… it’s better with doubles!”

That was followed by “Sex with me is like a Rubix Cube.”

“… really, really confusing.”

“… who gets it done the fastest.”

“… I haven’t done it since the 80s.”

This game had everyone warmed up – the players with their wit and the audience with their laughter.

‘Pocket Note’ was the first game after the warm-up, with Henare, Sally and Sue trying to sell a product (of their choosing). It was fun as they picked up the notes of “I love you, Jenny.” “Oh, that’s spicy!” “You remind me of your sister”, “You should put some cream on that”, and other notes they tried to weave into the story seamlessly. But, here, have a quick look, as I’ve left the classic note for the video.

In the ‘Dating Game’, our three contestants had odd quirks. Kathy was a Mexican Waver, Sue’s occupation was to inseminate octopus, and Sally crocheted sexy stockings. Steve, whose name happened to be Santa Claus, asked each one a question before having to guess each of their quirks. Kathy’s was relatively easy as she constantly waved her arms in the air and spoke with a Mexican accent. Sally made sure Santa liked her sexy stockings, but Sue’s occupation wasn’t quite so easy, and Steve needed a little help.

‘The Clap’ game saw three teams battle it out for lines. Henera and Brett were teaching a hen to make trifle (it was Christmas, after all), and Steve and Sally were having Christmas together, making snowballs and getting very drunk. Kathy was the 80s fairy from the Christmas tree, and Sue was a new, moveable apprentice who was having her first time at the top. It didn’t help that she was not only scared of heights, but as the game progressed, we discovered she was a demon.

In the game ‘He Said, She Said,’ Kathy and Brett were trying to get the Christmas tree decorated before the store opened. However, it all turned to custard when the box of decorations turned out to be a box of cutlery. To top it off, the 2nd box was full of plates. But never fear, these two enterprising staff members decided to make the whole tree kitchen themed.

In the ‘Returns Desk’ game (another favourite), the three items returned were a cross-eyed goldfish, a piano with all the notes being C and the moon that didn’t smile. This is a fun game, as those returning the item have no idea what it is.

Watch a short clip of Brett bringing back the cross-eyed goldfish. You can see Brett’s entire segment on our YouTube channel.

A game of ‘The Cube’ followed with much hilarity, and then the night’s final game was ‘The Twitch’. Another round of Jon being put to a series of individual actions that had him sweating by the end.

While having a wind-down drink after the show, the players agreed that this Christmas audience had to have been the loudest and most fun one in all of 2023. It was a terrific, fun night and a great one to round off a very successful year.

Thanks to players

Sue
Kathy
Sally
Jon – MC

Steve
Brett
Henare

Thanks to

Crew: Fee
Sound engineer: Anthony.

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.

Great Suggestions from the Audience!

By hlimprovers | November 22, 2023

The great suggestions from the audience meant that the Honest Liars had fun making up the script on the spot – exactly what Improv is all about.

The day shone brightly as the players headed for 16th Ave Theatre and a night of improv games.

Being Guy Fawlks night and not many tickets sold, there was a bit of trepidation in the air about having to play to a minimal crowd. But, the Honest Liars should have kept the faith because the number of ‘walk-ins’ swelled the audience to near capacity, and their raucous laughter with brilliant suggestions meant that cracker sparks flew from the stage.

A new game of ‘Sex with Me’ kicked off the show as the players came out with great one-liners. For example – the suggestion was a Rubix cube:

“Usually only a 12-year-old boy can figure it out” or
“Takes way too long to finish it”.

A spade and a book were other suggestions that had the crowd laughing right from the show’s start.

‘Pocket Note’ saw Kelly, Sally and Sue building a fence, but when Kelly said she wanted to put deer, sheep and alpacas in behind it, Sally told her that the picket fence would be too low. The notes such as “Don’t tell your mum”, “It wasn’t syphilis”, and “Don’t squeeze it” were seamlessly woven into the story. But the “Good afterbull, cutstiamoon” (drunk talk to a constable) had the crowd in stitches. Kelly ended up holding onto an electric fence, which just about floored her and the audience alike.

Brett, Kathy and Steve were abseiling in the game ‘Scene Three Ways’. This is a game where the ‘director’ changes the scene into different genres – this wee clip is when they had been directed to do the scene as pirates!

It was on to ‘Sign Language Interpreter’ in which Kelly did an outstanding job of signing for the bizarre interview of an expert in teaching racoons to be beekeepers. Between Brett, the expert, and Jon, the interviewer, Kelly was thrown into hilarious poses. She had to come up with signs for “chucking trash outside to get the racoons”, “lazy racoons”, “gnashing of teeth”, and “whipping”.

During the interval, Dave from 16th Ave Theatre took the roll call with surprising names and made sure everyone was back in their seats for the 2nd half.

Jon staffed the ‘Returns Desk’ and was able to help those returning items to figure out what they were returning. This game sees small, medium and large items returned because they are faulty. However, the customer has yet to learn what it is. For example, Sue had a frog which didn’t croak, Kelly, a blind deer, and Brett, an electric bus with a flat tyre. All three managed to guess their items – here’s Brett working out what his large object was.

Other games such as ‘He Said, She Said’ and ‘The Cube’ brought out wonderful stories and lines such as: ‘Maybe you should take steroids to look more like Lance Armstrong’, weird trail names such as “Widow Maker”, which ended up being more a widower maker! The weeds in the garden turned out to be “weed in the attic” and elves stuffing toys with cocaine.

The night’s last game saw Jon in the hot seat interviewing for a divorce lawyer. This was the famous “Twitch Interview”, with each candidate bringing in an unusual twitch or mannerism that Jon had to copy. This game is for all players, and by the end of the interviews, Jon was exhausted from repeating all the cramps he was given.

Another successful night ended, and the audience wandered off home with laughter still ringing in their ears.

Thanks to players

Brett
Kelly
Kathy

Sally
Steve
Sue

Emcee: Jon
Crew: Fee
Sound engineer: Anthony.

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.

The Energy was HIGH!

By hlimprovers | August 24, 2021

The day of the August show arrived with sunshine and warmth. The Honest Liars headed to the Jam Factory with great expectations and high energy of the afternoon and evening ahead.

3 pm, and teacher, Jim Fishwick was ready to begin a compact, fast-moving master workshop. He introduced the players to alternative ways to known games and new ones as the two hours sped by. All agreed they could have stayed for hours drinking in the depth of knowledge 15 years has given Jim.

But it was show night, and so the group went off in search of food before setting up the chairs, lights and music to set the mood for the incoming audience.

The games began with all players on stage for the ‘Objection, Objection’ game. The players put many arguments forward over the controversy of getting the Covid vaccine or not, reaching no solution.

Jim was officially introduced to the audience in the hilarious and well-loved game of ‘Pocket Note’. The scene took place in a funeral parlour, and some of the notes fitted in so well.

But see for yourself:

‘Film Noir’ was set at the Covid vaccination centre. As it was a quiet afternoon, Jon took the opportunity to practice with the needles using the bit of heroin he had on hand. In walked Kim, the femme fatale hell-bent on getting as many drugs as she could to “get rid of the exes”. She finally lured Jon into her dastardly web, and her plan was executed.

When the scandal erupted around the hoarding of toilet paper by the Salvation Army, it was time for a ‘Press Conference’. Questions were thrown to Brett and Jon, such as “How do you intend to get a roll-out of this?”, “Does this have anything to do with cleaning the brass instruments?” and “Where’s the loose end – on the outside or on the inside?”. Very subtle clues, but the two senior Sallies finally arrived at who they were and what they had done.

‘The Cube’ once again showed Jim’s remarkable skill as the four players brought stories to life around the given words of ‘Gun’, ‘Mermaid/Fireman’, ‘Glass of Water’ and ‘Unicycle’.

This is not one to miss, so luckily it was filmed.

The ‘Day in the Life’ had audience members, Ben and Cherisse’s day acted out in front of them as the two of them had gone on an impromptu walk in the bush coming home to smashed avocado, the best thing when you’re hungry.

Finally, the show came to an end, and the audience filed out with beaming smiles after so much laughter. The chairs were put away, the music turned off, and the drinks came out as the players wound down after a high-energy show.

A huge thank you to Jim Fishwick. Having him on stage was a fantastic experience for both the players and audience.

Thanks to players

Jim
Kathy
Kelly
Brett

Kim
Matt
Jon

Thanks to the Crew:

Fee and Sally on sound.

The next show at the Jam Factory is on Sunday 3rd October 7 pm

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

1^st Sunday of every Month
Jam Factory, Historic Village
Show Starts: 7 p.m.

NEXT WORKSHOP: TBA

NEXT SHOW: SATURDAY 1st FEB

ENGAGE US TO ENTERTAIN YOU

Tag: the cube

The Heat Was Ramped Up!

By hlimprovers | March 24, 2024

It wasn’t the Honest Liars’ fault that the heat was ramped up!

First Show of 2024

By hlimprovers | February 10, 2024

A packed-out crowd turned up for the first show of 2024, and the players were on fire!

It’s An Improv Comedy Christmas

By hlimprovers | January 12, 2024

It’s Christmas! That means an improv comedy Christmas show, and what a show it was.

Great Suggestions from the Audience!

By hlimprovers | November 22, 2023

The great suggestions from the audience meant that the Honest Liars had fun making up the script on the spot – exactly what Improv is all about.

The Energy was HIGH!

By hlimprovers | August 24, 2021

The day of the August show arrived with sunshine and warmth. The Honest Liars headed to the Jam Factory with great expectations and high energy of the afternoon and evening ahead.