Have you ever seen a play that no-one else will ever get to witness? Have you ever experienced a play where you are in a strange, unique moment of time that will never be repeated? Welcome to Spin-A-Play!!
Spin-A-Play, as the name can possibly suggest, is a brand new improvised comedy show where the actors have no idea of the script, storyline, setting or theme of a play they are about to perform. What could possibly go wrong?
I was lucky enough to be invited to one of the preview shows before a group of enthusiastically delusional comedians travel off to Brighton Fringe & Camden Fringe and release their endeavours to other unsuspectingly brave audience members.
The setting was the very cool Hunter Club Arts Centre in their ‘cosy’ room where the audience were made to feel welcome and comfortable – on purpose of course as the more comfortable we felt then the more audience participation there would be. Which is the essential ingredient of the night.
Aaron comes on stage, a quick introduction and pointing out it is a preview show, another way of giving an excuse for any major failings. The introduction informs us that the play will be made up from scratch based on what we, the audience, are just about to shout out, and he as the ‘playwright’ and director, will guide it along as best he can.
The first thing we need to determine is the genre. We all shout out different TV, film and play genres including WhoDunnit, Cop Drama, Action….the usual. However Aaron’s frontman warm charm and self-deprecating humour made the process funny and encouraged the more unusual suggestions….burlesque.
With all the suggestions written on a colourful spinning wheel, it got spun and the genre chosen: Western.
The cast nod appreciatingly, their faces depicting their thoughts that are racing through whatever is in their brains which is linked to ‘Western’. Not that this, as it would transpire, would help them in any way.
Other suggestions for elements in the play are asked from the audience and as we are nicely warmed up, they come faster and more… shall we say… off topic?
Once all the suggestions are in, Aaron provides a little summary guidance to the cast in an attempt at a structure, similar to herding cats, and our very own play begins.
Occasionally Aaron interjects, whether to end a scene or to insert a curve ball storyline or just to annoy his fellow cast members, he does generally keep it on track, sort of.
Can I call it a play? Can you call five comedians crawling about a stage, speaking with strange Southern accents, confusing a brother and sister relationship, pig rustling, a famous eight ingredient breakfast, a Sherriff who commits crimes in disguise, biting your own toenails and human souls being sucked out with a machine that sounds like someone slurping on custard?
Yes I can. There was a storyline, in fact due to this particular audience crowd being so wonderful ours had a happy ending!
Yes I can call it a play. However I can also call it a uniquely funny, enjoyable experience!
It was totally bonkers in the most charming way. Not only were the cast able to string a made-up coherent, surreal storyline together, their natural comedy instinct made it hilarious as the audience were laughing all the way through. We were laughing at the jokes, laughing at the cast as they realised what had just come out of their imagination was bonkers, and also laughing with the cast as they were enjoying the performance and enjoying causing further havoc to their colleagues as one simple line could alter this ‘Tales of the Unexpected’ into the ‘Twilight Zone’ in an instant.
It was great fun and it felt an honour to be part of a play/performance which no-one else outside of those four walls will ever experience in the same way.
Keep an eye out for Insert Laughter Here comedy shows here.
Photo Credits:
Hayley Clapperton
Henri M
Insert Laughter Here
Here is a the video review on YouTube.
Here is the YouTube Short.