Theatre / improv theatre
Review: No Expectations: The Unscripted Dickens, The Wardrobe Theatre – ‘The audience loved what they saw’
Improvised theatre is a little like televised wrestling – those watching like to sense danger and believe that things could go horribly wrong, secretly safe in the knowledge that it’ll all be fine because everyone involved knows exactly what they’re doing.
Closer Each Day Theatre Company is behind a long-running improvised soap opera which has captivated the cultural scene in Bristol. With a rolling cast of performers and characters, the company stages weekly episodes, using audience prompts and life-on-the-edge ensemble skills. They’ve created an excellent product with a great reputation.
Their latest venture, No Expectations, takes those skills and places them in Victorian London – with the premise that Dick Charlesens has writer’s block, and needs inspiration to complete his book before the night is done.
is needed now More than ever
No Expectations, The Unscripted Dickens – photo: Daisy Tian Dai
This talented company, full of engaging performers, produces a new story each night, using audience prompts and a wealth of self-referential, anachronistic archness, which reminds us of Dickensian, Upstart Crow and Blackadder. But without the core confidence of any of them.
The audience is asked for a few suggestions to kick things off – a name, a workplace, a mode of transport – and the cast immediately begins to riff on the answers. They create a setting, a couple of protagonists and a basic premise for the rest of the show to develop.
With understated and witty live keyboards, and a slightly weird approach to lighting, the company proceeds to tell a story full of over the top characters, changes of costume, accents and hearty singalong songs. All of which leads to a scene where the strands pull together to a satisfyingly comprehensive finale. It’s an impressive feat. And last night, the audience at The Wardrobe Theatre clearly loved what they saw.
Photo: Daisy Tian Dai
No Expectations: The Unscripted Dickens is at The Wardrobe Theatre on May 17-June 2 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available at www.thewardrobetheatre.com.
Main photo: Daisy Tian Dai
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