The Heat Was Ramped Up!
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.
1st Saturday of every month.
16th Ave Theatre.
16th Avenue, Tauranga.
Show Starts: 7.30 p.m.
Licenced bar available.
