It is a daunting task to perform stand-up and expect your pre-prepared jokes and stories to hit the mark. The pressure is upped further still if there is no script or rehearsed anecdotes to fall back on. But Improv Mullet intends to do exactly that and have them rolling in the aisles with impromptu gags, sketches and off-the-cuff humour.
Improv Mullet are the seasoned pros behind the acclaimed Let's See What Happens shows that regularly took place at the Kings Arms...
"We retired Let's See at the end of last year, after seven years, and wanted to reinvigorate ourselves a little" explains comic performer Sean Mason "It's not quite the same show, as the first half is more game based - like our family friendly show or Whose Line Is It Anyway?, whilst the second half is very similar to Let's See in terms of longer scenes, sketches, even whole improvised plays."
The Improv Mullet crew, a variety of performers from differing backgrounds, will bring together their skills to push the boundaries of improvised comedy and expand on the expected short skits. Ambitiously, they often aim to deliver an original, on-the-spot comedy play. Over the years they have acquired the presence and poise to deliver under pressure...
"Our group started 16 years ago and everyone has a different story" Sean recalls "I went to see ComedySportz, our regular family friendly improv show, when I was studying at Salford Uni. I loved it, signed up to ComedySportz workshops and since then we've taken shows across the UK, the US and the Edinburgh Fringe. I've even ended up teaching on the ComedySportz workshops which are held regularly at the Kings Arms. It's been a fun journey.
"What's great about Improv Mullet is that it combines the best elements of all the shows we've ever done" he adds "The first half is short-form gags and games - and the second half is long-form - we'll craft an entire improvised play from audience suggestions. Hence Improv Mullet - short in the front, long in the back! Hopefully, it'll show audiences there's plenty of different styles of improv."
You can sit back and watch the ad-lib entertainment unfold or take a more active approach if you're daring... "One of our favourite games is Texts from Last Night, where a brave audience member will give us their phone and a text thread they're happy for us to use" Sean explains "Then one of the performers can only speak using those texts as dialogue. Luckily, our shows have such a great atmosphere that people are willing to go along with it.
"At the risk of sounding big-headed, after so many years the group has got pretty slick and people sometimes ask us if it really is all improvised" he adds "Audience suggestions prove we're making things up on the spot and they can keep us on our toes. No two shows are ever the same!"
The team actually enjoy the odd 'bump in the road' and use it to add to the experience. There no awkwardness if things fail to click... "That risk is what makes watching Improv so much fun, although in honesty things can't go too badly wrong when there's no script to forget!" Sean insists "If something does go 'wrong', it's just another thing for us to play with and make a joke out of."
Improv Mullet promises a unique event, not to be missed. It's live, unscripted and largely based on audience suggestions. Get along and be impressed by the wit and mental sharpness of the team. Alternatively, watch them ridicule each other when the gags fall short. Either way you're in for a top night that will not be repeated.
Improv Mullet
Saturday 3rd February 7:30pm – and the first Saturday of every month
The Kings Arms, Bloom Street
£3 but anyone with a genuine mullet gets in free
For more details see www.comedysportz.co.uk/improvmullet
Words by Ian Leslie
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