Improv troupes from New Zealand, Philippines, Estonia, Zimbabwe and Vancouver are coming together for The Improv Centre’s THE HEAT – An International Improv Comedy Showcase from Jan. 28 to Feb.1 on Granville Island. Among the lineup of troupes, Ruutu10 from Estonia and The Impro Show from Zimbabwe are excited to share their teams’ unique styles of improv and collaborate with other comedians across the world.

“Since we have gathered improv knowledge from different places and added some of our own discoveries to it, it is an interesting blend,” says Martin Junna, the CEO of Ruutu10.

Each night will kick off with short form games alongside either international troupes delivering their individual approaches to improv or an “all-play” showcase that sees teams performing together.

“We’re largely self-taught, which possibly makes us a bit quirky,” says Kevin Hanssen, the director of The Impro Show. “We’re looking forward to learning from people who know what they’re doing.”

Shaping the scene

Junna shares how Ruutu10 was once a small hobby group that decided to become a professional improv troupe in 2013. Their name reflects the original 10 members who had a unified goal of shaping the Estonian improv scene. Even now as an established theatre company, Ruutu10 has no plans of slowing down.

“We are a big dominant force here, so we influence the Estonian improv [scene] quite a lot,” says Junna.

To grow their improv related activities and advance the art form, the members are expanding their skills by connecting with the international improv community.

“To this day, you see us with our notebooks open, writing down every exercise and quote the teacher is saying,” he explains.

Junna mentions how the troupe’s improv style is impacted by the North American improv scene, citing The Annoyance Theatre, The iO Theater, and The Upright Citizens Brigade as some key influences.

Aside from the North American comedy scene, Junna highlights the unique features of Estonian humour as stemming from its diversity. He mentions that Ruutu10 particularly enjoys absurd comedy and use body language to transcend language barriers. They are continuously working to grow their theatre and shape the Estonian comedy scene.

“We love being students again,” Junna says. “It’s the best part of improv.”

Laughing on the go

Hanssen first fell in love with improv after watching the game show Whose Line Is It Anyway. Following the disbandment of a Zimbabwean theatre company he participated in, he was left with a desire to continue performing.

“In time, unsuspecting future members of The Impro Show stumbled into the same pothole as me,” says Hanssen.

He cites British humour as greatly influencing their improv style – particularly Monty Python and Blackadder. He explains that before satellite television, Zimbabwe only had one station, so everyone watched the same British shows.

The Heat’s The Impro Show.| Photo courtesy of The Improv Centre

Zimbabwe’s rich oral culture and comedy culture are also significant to The Impro Show’s improv style. Although the improv scene is not big in Zimbabwe, Hanssen shares that spontaneity and humour are at the heart of every Zimbabwean’s way of life.

“Zimbabweans are fond of making fun of themselves and situations around them,” he adds. “If you can’t control it, laugh!”

Hanssen further describes humour as a coping mechanism for frustrated Zimbabweans. Considering the country’s economic and political issues, he sees Zimbabweans as experts in improvisation and adaptation in their daily lives.

“You have to be a little bit careful about what you say about who, so humour can also be cloaked, cryptic or metaphorical,” he explains.

For the troupe, one of the beauties about improv is the audience’s ability to laugh at themselves. Hanssen observes that many of the audience member’s suggestions for scenes come from their personal experiences. Seeing their experiences through a comedic lens often lightens their feelings of frustration.

“It’s a great role for comedy to be able to provide some relief from the very things that seem most heavy and unbearable,” he adds.

With regards to their upcoming participation in THE HEAT, Hanssen emphasizes the troupe’s anticipation for meeting other comedians, building on their comedic understanding and performing for new audiences.

For more information, visit: www.theimprovcentre.ca