ARTS: "Cineprov!" @ Relapse Comedy Theatre
Comedy and horror do not make a happy couple, but the actors at Relapse Comedy Theatre in Atlanta attempted to marry the two on Halloween night.
As I was ushered into a small, darkened room with what appeared to be old airplane seats, I was unsure of what I’d be seeing. The tiny theater fits about 20 people and on that night would only house six. But the small turnout did not seem to faze the three Cineprov! actors as they began their interpretation of a pitch meeting for a horror film.
“OK, picture this: We’re making Halloween III, only without Michael Myers,” said an actor clad in a Philadelphia Phillies baseball uniform.
“Ah, yes continue,” said the female actor dressed as Bristol Palin, baby bump unmistakably visible.
“That’s it. We’re just going to sell them on the ‘three’ alone. That’s all we need. It’s genius!” said the third actor, holding up three fingers and grinning like a mad man.
Then Halloween III: Season of the Witch began playing on the makeshift sheet screen. This was no ordinary movie viewing, though. As the actors said before the show, if you’d like to actually see the movie then you’ve come to the wrong place.
The actors at Relapse uniquely perform their improv comedy routines. In a Mystery Science Theater 3000 type of way, the actors mock what they consider to be awful movies. From beginning to end the three actors spoke over the movie, finding ways to make fun of the film.
The implausible plot line and awful script made this film an easy target for the improv actors.
The tiny theater created an intimate, though sometimes awkward, experience. Actors revealed crude humor with no limitations on subject matter.
Sexualized humor ran rampant during a provocative scene and any other time the actors could think to include it. But with only six in the audience, if a particular joke did not resonate, the silence was a little uncomfortable.
Before the show, the actors commented that they normally do not view the film beforehand, so they will rely purely on improvisation techniques. It was obvious many times throughout the film that some of the actors were a little squeamish, because there were never any jokes told during gruesome scenes.
Relapse has only been open for one year, but the actors all seemed to work well with one another. The six-member audience enjoyed many laughs, but some of the comedy seemed forced. For the $5 student rate, it was well worth the money and is worth checking out if you're in the Atlanta area.
- by Brittany Cofer
Thanks for the review. Didn't realize the sexual humor was rampant! We'll have to clean that up. Sorry you didn't have a great time...we'll be funnier from now on..we promise. Your pals at Cineprov!
I was very happy to find this review on your blog. I've never seen an improvisational comedy performance and had no idea how one would structure it. This night sounds like it stems from a good premise, even if Halloween III was an "easy target." Your Mystery Science Theater 3000 comparison seems apt, and your criticisms, praise and quotations seem measured. I would have liked to make the audience seven people instead of six.