Tales From The Wasteland: Post-Apocalyptic Improv, The Courtyard Theatre
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Improv forms a big part of fringe theatre, but we’re always amazed at some of the starting points. Pete Leaman‘s Tales From The Wasteland: Post-Apocalyptic Improv certainly jumps in at what feels a rather different place; as the title suggests, this is improv set in post-apocalyptic times.
We caught up with Pete in his slightly non-apocalyptic home of Bristol to find out more about a show that will be coming to The Courtyard Theatre from Thursday 31 July to Sunday 3
What can audiences expect from the show?
An improvised post-apocalyptic adventure comedy. A single suggestion from you will help this cast craft an entire narrative show on the spot with no pre-prepared plot, characters or dialogue. Expect raiders, mutants and more in this absurd dark comedy inspired by Fallout and Mad Max.
Is Camden Fringe going to be the show’s first time on stage, or have you already performed elsewhere?
We regularly perform in the wasteland known as Bristol and had also traversed across the country to Camden last year. The show is always chaotic and fun! We never know what might happen and what crazy new heights we might go to.
What was your inspiration behind the show?
The main inspiration was my love of the video game Fallout and the Mad Max movies. I love the chaotic absurdity that comes from a population surviving on the edge and the depths of the human soul that can be explored when people are pushed to their breaking point.
What brought you all together?
The show was initially born out of the Unscripted Players program at the Bristol Improv Theatre. They allow members of the amateur improv community to direct, cast and perform their own show ideas and provide them with a stage and audience to do so. It was an amazing opportunity and has evolved into the big fun show we are now!
Being a fringe festival, we all know sets have to be bare minimum, how have you got around this?
Being an improv show, set and props is always minimal. The biggest set is our group-imagination! Saying this, we have recently invested in some background set to help sell the genre such as ammo boxes, barbed wire and a full life-sized skeleton (named Morticia).
If you had to describe your show as a colour what would it be?
Radioactive green.
If you had to describe your show as a meal what would it be?
Gruel.
If your show had a soundtrack what songs would definitely be on it?
See the Fallout soundtrack.
If budget or reality was not an issue, what’s the one piece of scenery/set you’d love to have in your show?
A hanging metal cage with a person in it for the whole show.
What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve received during your career, and how has it influenced your work on this show?
Just go for it. I’ve spent a long time waiting around and hoping for things that I’d like to see happen. The easiest way to see a show you love is to make it yourself, find some like-minded friends and a space in a park and just start workshopping!
Thanks to Pete for chatting to us all the way from the wastelands (well, Bristol). Tales From The Wasteland: Post-Apocalyptic Improv will be playing at The Courtyard Theatre from Thursday 31 July to Sunday 3 August.
