| Rapid Fire Theatre 2009 and 2010 text overviews |
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| Tuesday, 02 June 2009 13:47 | ||||||||||
“The best improv show I’ve ever seen” Vue Weekly (2005) This autumn Rapid Fire Theatre is thrilled to be touring two original improv shows through Europe: Scratch and Thread-Bear. Scratch features Arlen Konopaki, Thread-Bear features K ayla Lorette, and both feature RFT's artistic director Kevin Gillese.
Scratch is Canada's biggest improv export, having toured several times across the US, the UK, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand. It's a fast-paced, high-energy spectacle of improv comedy with two actors switching between several characters and storylines. It's physical comedy with a flair for the absurd, it has gotten rave reviews around the world and this is the final tour for Scratch in Europe!
Thread-Bear takes a constrasting style of performance, it favours realism and focuses on the relationship between two characters, and their personal stories. Developed over two seasons in Edmonton, it finds the comedy in our most human, dramatic moments. This show, originally toured with Kurt Smeaton in Europe last season, was an absolute hit. Per Gottfredsson, artistic director of Stockholms Improvisationsteater said: "it takes improvised theatre to another level."
Rapid Fire Theatre is one of the biggest improv companies in the whole world. Every year we produce more than 150 shows in Edmonton, 20 shows across Canada, and several international tours. We are committed to exploring the art of improvisation, fostering relationships between companies and presenting unique, hilarious shows.
Arlen Konopaki trained in improvisation from a young age in organizations like CIG, he then went on to earn a degree in theatre from the University of Alberta. Since graduating he has written and directed several low-budget movies, but hasn't had that much time to focus on filmmaking because he's been touring Scratch for years!
Kayla Lorette has twice been nominated for the Canadian Comedy Award for best improv group along with her original ensemble AKA. She lives in Toronto where she peforms for The Second City touring company, and just finished working on her first season of her own sketch comedy show on YTV. She loves getting out to Edmonton whenever she can to perform with her friends at Rapid Fire and is so excited to be on tour.
Kevin Gillese, Rapid Fire Theatre's artistic director, studied Theatre and Creatvie Writing at the University of Alberta, before going on to complete the Post-Graduate Comedy Writing and Performance program at Humber College in Toronto. He has toured for years with several acts, most notably Scratch, and has also worked as an actor in several film and television productions. He is Artistic Director of Rapid Fire Theatre and is committed to building up relationships with other improv companies just like yours.
Improv reinvented
“They have practically reinvented improv and turned it into a fast-paced, hip, rock and roll feeling show. They zip through characters and storylines like masters, watching them is like watching a really good show, which is good because it is a really good show. Crumbs are a huge fan of the work Scratch does.” – The Crumbs (2007) Scratch is a whirling longform show where two improvisers play all the characters as they weave together three different story lines. With a flair for huge physical comedy and techniques adapted from the american tv and film industry, Scratch is truly an improv show like you've never seen. The format was born at the Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival in 2005 where it was an immediate success with fans and critics alike. In 2006 Scratch was seen several times at Rapid Fire Theatre’s long form show CHiMPROV, and went on to be featured at: the Toronto Fringe, The Vancouver International Improv Festival, The Winnipeg Fringe, The Catch 23 Tournament of Wonders (in Toronto) and of course another stellar run at the Edmonton Fringe. 2007/2008 is gearing up to be a big season for Scratch with expanded Canadian touring, as well as dates planned across Europe and Australia. In the fall of 2007 Scratch toured for six weeks across Germany, Austria, Slovenia, and Sweden. Then the toured for seven weeks to comedy festivals across Australia and New Zealand, followed by another 3 city tour across the Canadian fringe festivals. The success of the 2007 Euro tour can be seen in all of the repeat bookings in the fall of 2008 when Scratch came back to all their favourite stops, and added new destinations in France, Switzerland and the UK on an extended tour. And right now the show has just returned from another huge tour of Australia where they performed and taught for weeks. show formats Kevin Gillese & Arlen Konopaki perform Scratch and Thread-Bear Kevin Gillese & Kayla Lorette perform Thread Bear and Veritas Tassle
In Scratch two actors literally spin in and out of each other's characters, bounding across the stage with a physical comedy that becomes like a bizarre modern dance by the end. We see three stories and tons of different characters come together in cartoonish and absurd ways. Accents, funny walks, action sequences, all tied up in a neat little bow. Catch the original Scratch duo on their final European tour of the show. Kevin and Arlen refined this character changing, multiple story improvised show across the Canadian Fringe Theatre Festival circuit. That was back in 2005-2006, since then the show has gone on to tour across Europe, Australia, and a whole lot more in Canada. They have also appeared at various festivals including the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the New Zealand International Comedy Festival, the Vancouver International Improv Festival, the Naked Stage (Slovenia), the Wuerzburgean Improv-Festival and many others. Based on a classic three story approach, Scratch spins the usual approach to long form on it’s head by literally spinning in and out of each other’s characters. With a flair for physical comedy the two men bound across the stage, bringing the stories together with a blend of outrageous characters, music and movement. Along the way we flash forward and backward in time, filling in the narrative gaps, and allowing for absurd tangents along the story lines. This format, refined from years of touring, and presented with the original creators, is a beautiful combination of the fun, accessible comedy of short form and the fully formed, satisfying journeys of long form. For their final European tour with Scratch, Kevin and Arlen are again teaming up with Niko of Cellolitis. This year the boys (Kevin, Arlen and Niko) have already toured Australia, New Zealand, several cities of Canada and now the season ends with Europe. We look forward to working with you! Thread-Bear is one, real-time scene in one location where two characters delve deep into their relationship. Like a classic American one-act play, we engage and affect each other until the truth spills forth. Alternating quickly between comedy and drama, this show is rides an emotional roller coaster until we are left with a very full view of these complex people.
Two characters, one location, sixty minutes. This format, seemingly the polar opposite of Scratch, is more like a one-act play than a typical act. There are still plenty of laughs, but here they emerge from shockingly real moments with our characters, and the minute details of their relationships. The tone is more realistic, less absurd, the audience is drawn into the personal stories and we go deeper and deeper until we learn the truth about who they really are. This is an improv show built on acting, theatre and emotional truth; which we see as just another route to great comedy! Thread-Bear first toured Europe in 2008, although at that time it didn’t have a name yet, we just called it “the other format we’re working on.” And the response has been overwhelmingly positive. Per Gottfredsson, Artistic Director of Stockholms Improvisationsteater, said: “Thread-Bear is great because it takes improvised theater to a new level. Because they only use one environment and because they only play one character each, the whole show the improvisers can go deeper into character. Play out the relationship drama or the situation they are in. The improvisers are very skilled, its fun to see them work together on the stages. Don’t miss this high-class improvised act.” The show was originally developed at the Vancouver International Improv Festival in 2006, then workshopped and developed further at Rapid Fire Theatre in Edmonton from 2006-2007, then road tested on tour in Europe in 2008 and now it is all grown up and ready for the world! Veritas Tassle alternates between true stories from the performers, and improvised scenes inspired by them. Finding comedy in organic ways by telling anecdotes from their own lives, the improvisers will feel like your best friend by the end of the night.
First developed at RFT during the regular season then premiered at Improvaganza, Rapid Fire Theatre's annual improv festival, this new format finds the joy in telling the truth. Its first full production will happen at the Winnipeg Fringe Festival in July 2009, where it has a ten show run. The strength in this show is its ability to build connections between the audience and the performers, as they reveal more and more about their personal lives as the show moves forward. And it is by connecting these real world details into the ongoing improvised stories that makes Veritas Tassle a fun, new improv format.
There will be new photgraphs, show formats and workshops for 2009 tour for last year's texts see www.forum-improvisation.net/rapid-fire-theatre WorkshopsNote: All workshops will be led by both of the Scratch performers (in not two groups parallely). That’s a double dose of improv knowledge! Scratch Workshop This workshop will focus on going over and learning the Scratch format including:
This workshop is a perfect companion to booking the Scratch show as it gives improvisers a look at the methods behind the spectacle. Often after seeing the show folks are excited at having seen new styles and techniques, and they are eager to try them out themselves. This workshop offers the opportunity to do just that, under the guidance of the very artists who developed them. General Workshop This workshop will focus on strengthening the skills common to both short and long form improv, including:
This workshop will be different for each group taught, as we will be adapting to each group’s specific needs. This is the ideal opportunity to have your show critiqued and refined by two of Canada’s most established and experienced improvisers. Or equally it is a chance to study the Canadian style of improv performance which emphasizes an equal blend of emotional truth and outrageous comedy. Hire UsLet us make your event one to remember…Wherever Rapid Fire Theatre goes, we bring the laughs with us. Brighten your next office party, convention or training seminar with unique entertainment, minted fresh, from the best of our roster of professionals. Teams of 2 – 4 will descend on your event, and for a bit extra we will travel far and wide, to bring the laughs to you. RFT special events are available in a few delicious flavours: 100% Improv Scenes and Games based on the suggestions of the crowd at hand, fast and funny and sure to satisfy. Semi Focused A show to match your theme, company or audience. Give us the information beforehand, and we'll make up the show incorporating your company, employees, and the funny thing that happened by the photocopier. Focused Want to really get your message across? Reinforce your company's new vision, technique or slogan with side splitting comedy they'll be sure to remember. Call +49 30 4372009-16 (forum improvisation / KBMM) for costs and booking details. What People are Saying about RFT's Special Events. “Thanks for bringing together such a fabulous group for this Big Stupid Improv… you rock our World.” – Edmonton Comedy Arts Festival “What a wonderful time we had. These people are not only funny, they have unbelievable impromptu talent. They're a must-see” – Banff Lions Club “Hire them again? In a heartbeat!” – Grande Prairie Crystal Centre ActorsKevin Gillese is an improviser and comedy artist from Edmonton, Alberta where he is the artistic director of Rapid Fire Theatre, home of the longest running Theatre Sports show in the world. Kevin has toured all kinds of shows across Canada, the United States, Australia and of course his beloved Europe. Last spring he was thrilled to premiere Scratch at one of the biggest comedy festivals in the world: The Melbourne International Comedy Festival. After having been with RFT for twelve years, it’s safe to say that he has spent most of his adult life working as an improviser. Kevin has also appeared in several Canadian films and television shows, one American film and a few Australian television shows. He likes to get around, so what!?! Arlen Konopaki im member of Rapid Fire Theatre and actor in Scratch show. He graduated from the University of Alberta with his BFA in acting. He has been improvising for 8 years with various companies and spent the last 5 seasons with Rapid Fire Theatre. Selected stage credits include: Romeo & Juliet (Free Will Players), A MidSummer Night’s Dream (Theatre Prospero), Boy Groove (Synapse Theatre) and Candida (Studio Theatre). With his film company High Wire Films he has completed two independent features entitled The Greatest Love Story Ever Told and Losing Will. Kayla Lorette, originally from Vancouver but now living in Toronto, is redefining the possibilities for young improvisers in Canada. When she was just nineteen her long form improv group AKA was nominated for a Canadian Comedy Award, the youngest group ever to receive a nomination in any category, and the next year they were nominated again. With AKA she has been featured at several improv festivals across the country including: The Vancouver International Improv Festival and Rapid Fire Theatre’s Improvaganza Festival. Since then she has gone on to win second prize in “Canada’s Next Great Comedy Legend” a television series put together by Second City and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. This led to a job offer from Second City Toronto and her subsequent move out east, where she also joined a number of other improv companies including: Ghost Jail Theatre, ProjectProject, Catch 23, and Impromptu Splendour. Most recently she spent a few months shooting her new television series “That’s So Weird”, a sketch comedy show for YTV. Kayla is so excited for her first tour outside of Canada! Kurt Smeaton is a comedian and writer from Toronto, Canada. He has been improvising for 17 years working with excellent companies such as Instant Theatre (Vancouver), RapidFire (Edmonton), BadDog, Second City (Toronto), Dad’s Garage (Atlanta), The Sticking Place, The Institute (London) and The Canadian Improv Games (Ottawa). Kurt has performed for 53 consecutive hours in DieNasty’s Soapathon and 50 consecutive hours in London’s Improvathon. He produces and performs in the popular weekly show Catch23 and the annual Tournament of Wonders. Kurt has been featured in several television shows and commercials including a main role in the nationally broadcast sketch comedy hit The Holmes Show.
Tess Degenstein to be added Press Clippings
Their uncanny ability to improvise has left some critics doubting. In The Uptown Bertram Schneider wrote that the show “may – or may not – be improvised.” And the Edmonton Journal’s Marc Horton wrote “Scratch is laugh-till-it-hurts time regardless of how planned it all might be.” But the show is most definitely improvised. If you don’t believe it then come see it twice. You’ll understand why See Magazine’s Allyson Kidd wrote “I was a skeptic, now I’m a believer.” A hit show across Canada, Steve Tilley wrote in the Toronto Sun "Edmonton improv wunderkinds Kevin Gillese and Arlen Konopaki are the real deal and their ability to conjure laughter out of the thinnest of premises is comedy voodoo. It’s never the same show twice, naturally, but even on a night when not all their cylinders are firing, there are more laughs per minute here than in most scripted fringe comedies. And when they’re truly on their game, watch out. Hospitalization-worthy hilarity.” Scratch just has to be seen to be believed. "Scratch is some of the most polished improv you may see at any fringe festival. Although Scratch is only a group of two, comprised of Arlen Konopaki and Kevin Gillese, they don't let that stand in the way of creating a large cast of characters and multiple plot lines that makes for a well paced long form set. The most impressive aspect of their performance is the obvious compatibility and synchronicity they share. Scene changes and flashbacks are seamless, and there are no rules on who plays what character as long as it's for the benefit of the scene - in fact they often switch roles in mid sentence if one of them has a sudden brainwave. Although they do not have the benefit of live musical accompaniment, their commercial soundtrack selections add an air of parody to their movie like story telling." Playsonthenet, 2007 “Improv comedy is tough these days, what with the art form having been officially perfected by Whose Line Is It Anyway? (that's a scientifically proven fact, don't y'know). So what to do? Well, abandon the game-based approach in favour of long-form improv (where the whole show is one long improvised story). Then, make it harder by paring the cast down to two people. And oh yeah, be funny about it. Luckily, improv duo Scratch (Arlen Konopaki and Kevin Gillese) delivers on all counts. Using audience suggestions, they craft a three-act play, incorporating three different storylines that will eventually merge. Since there are only the two of them, they creatively alternate characters - so one actor may take over the character the other has originated, freeing the other guy to become a new character. Yeah, it's a bit complicated, and it does get muddy at times. But it's energetic, surprising, filled with sharp jokes, and lots of fun. If you're an improv fan and looking for something a bit fresher than what's on the tube, you'll have a good time with Scratch.” CBC Review, 2007 “Thanks for bringing together such a fabulous group for this Big Stupid Improv… you rock our World.” (Edmonton Comedy Arts Festival) "Extremely funny" - Eye Magazine (2007) "energetic, surprising, filled with sharp jokes... Scratch delivers on all counts" -Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (2007) “Improv wunderkinds Kevin Gillese and Arlen Konopaki are the real deal… hospitalization worthy hilarity.” Toronto Sun (2006) “If laughter is the best medicine, prepare to overdose.” Eye Weekly (2006) “BEST OF THE FRINGE” Eye Weekly (2006) “PICK OF THE FRINGE” Now Weekly (2006) “Delightfully twisted” Now Weekly (2006) “I was a skeptic, now I’m a believer.” See Magazine (2006) “Polished and hilarious” The Uptown (2006) “You don’t believe it’s improvised” The Georgia Straight (2006) “Scratch is laugh-till-it-hurts time” Edmonton Journal (2005) “The best improv show I’ve ever seen” Vue Weekly (2005) “The year's freshest performers were imports, particularly Edmonton improv duo Scratch… brought unparalleled levels of imagination and physical comedy to their routines.” Eye Magazine (2006) |
