Theatre / bristol improv theatre
Review: REACT: Confession Booth, Bristol Improv Theatre
After months away from performing in-person shows, Bristol Improv Theatre returned to the physical stage on Friday with the first of its REACT shows.
Kicking off with Confession Booth, devised, directed and performed by Bristol Improv Theatre associate artists, the debut show was created out of a need to distance.
Three actors take to the stage, with a priest on one side of the “booth” and another man and woman playing the various confessors.
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Before the show, audience members, including those watching through the livestream, were encouraged to anonymously confess any lockdown sins to inspire scenes of the show.
x and x took turns on the stage, becoming different confessors each time. The show had an overall feel of being a little “am-dram”, but in the best possible way.
Stephen Clements, the priest, managed to hold the floor in a difficult and demanding role that saw him have to react on the fly.
Confession Booth was created as a way to have a socially distanced show without it seeming odd. Photo: Lee Pullen
Samantha McLaughlin put in a good effort, although the jokes didn’t always play off. With the difficulty of improv, the pressure of the first night back and the adrenaline rush of being in a real theatre, these moments were easily forgotten.
The star of the show, however, was Ste Brown. Playing confessors and the church caretaker, he completely stole the show.
Every time he took to the stage, the character was defined and different from the last, he was also able to create a storyline regarding the bread and wine of the church. It was a playful take on church snacks that really helped to create a storyline for the show.
Ste Brown really stole the show. Photo: Lee Pullen
With drinks flowing (via table service), painful abs from laughing so much at Barry the caretaker and such a warm welcome and goodbye from Caitlin Campbell, the occasional misstep was easily forgotten.
Leaving the theatre, myself and my friend agreed that it “felt like am-dram, but in the best way”. A bit silly, a few missteps, but laughs throughout.
And, most importantly, an urge to book a ticket to an upcoming show to see the talent perform again.
REACT runs until June 12. Find out more at www.improvtheatre.co.uk
Main photo: Lee Pullen
Read more: Bristol Improv Theatre launches season of in-person shows
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