Instant Theatre has been a long-time fixture in the Vancouver improv scene, both teaching classes and producing shows and festivals. It also has a swell new shop on East Broadway with a Foosball table. In this Q & A, Artistic Director Alistair Cook discusses the company and what the Germans think of it. Fabelhaft!
Sad Mag: Tell us a bit about yourself.
Alistair Cook: Well, I’m Vancouver born and bred and have been producing improv for adults and high schools students since 1993. Two things you should know about me: 1) I have the ability to stare directly into your soul and 2) I have an unhealthy fascination with the movie Point Break (maybe I’m an adrenaline junkie?).
SM: What is Instant Theatre?
AC: Instant Theatre is a theatre company based in Vancouver that produces, tours and teaches improvisational theatre. Founded in 1994 and forged out of a rag tag group of improvisers from the Vancouver Little Theatre we set out to change the world of our art form. Did we? I think in a way we have—in Canada and especially on the west coast.
SM: Why did you start Instant Theatre?
AC: I wanted to produce and perform improv and at that time there was no access to the main companies in town for a bunch of grunge kids with long hair and undercuts. We also felt that an alternative comedy scene was something that could and should exist and thrive. In my four years running the Vancouver Little Theatre Alliance (and before that the Sugar Refinery and Globe Theatre) we had a lot of opportunity to co-produce with other groups and help organize the scene. I now know that the scene is ALWAYS there, it’s just that you don’t know about it when you are starting out. Facebook has changed that a little, though.
SM: Who comprises Instant Theatre?
AC: The company is not a co-op or a particular group. It is always the sum of its cast, which changes depending on the show and the time period. For a long time it was made up of Dave Morris, Taz Vanrassel, Ryan Louis Beil and myself. That particular cast toured a lot and won a lot of awards and produced some excellent shows including “the Sunday Service” that Taz and Ryan now produce and have retooled and recast into what I think is the best alternative improv show in town.
Over the years, we’ve had easily 100 cast members through our doors in various productions. On January 30th I begin working with four new casts of improvisers in our 40-person Conservatory ensemble. These performers will beworking towards monthly shows at theatres around town under the Instant Theatre banner.
SM: Tell us about the Instant Shop.
AC: It’s a t-shirt shop with a Foosball table in the front. Check it out 650 East Broadway—seriously, stop by. This month we have a special on Manhussy shirts. Check out the website for more info on workshops and shows happening all year long. All of the workshops happen at the Shop, as well, and the intro workshop IS FREE!
SM: What do you like best about improv?
AC: Perhaps I’ll quote Bhodi from Point Break: “It’s the place where you lose yourself and find yourself… it’s the ultimate rush.” Or, perhaps I’ll tell you what I tell my students, “Say it with confidence and its truth.” What’s more empowering than that?
SM: How do you find the improv scene in Vancouver?
AC: It’s hard to discuss the scene in Vancouver without mentioning that we have one improv company that is as successful as you can be, being a strictly improv-based company. The fact is, VTSL is the most successful improv company in North America with nine shows a week AND they pay their players reasonably well. For performers there is nothing like rush of having 200 people turn from silence to an explosion of laughter and VTSL is the only place in Vancouver that regularly gets that kind of improv crowd.
However, not every audience wants to see those kinds of shows all the time (variety is the spice of life, yes?) so there are also great groups that continually foster their own audiences and work together to produce great shows. The camaraderie between The Sunday Service, Bronx Cheer, UBC Improv, Instant Theatre Man Hussy and new comers Pump Trolley, Sister Act, Virginia Jack and Ghost Jail Theatre has to be mentioned. This fugitive fleet of improv/sketch companies are going to be a powerful force in the next ten years, especially if someone gets them all at the same venue, creating a real alternative destination for improv in the city.
SM: What was one of your favourite performances or moments as a performer?
AC: As of late, anytime I’m on stage with Will Minsky and Ian Rowe. Whenever I’m asked this question I always say my performance in the Berlin Improv Festival with Taz, Ryan and Dave. After the show a German audience member told me, “Your show was like sunshine in my stomach.” I can only assume this is a good thing.
SM: Any upcoming performances?
AC: We are producing VANCOUVER CAGEMATCH!!! again after a three year hiatus on February 24th. Each night will have teams battling it out in a 25- minute timed match of long form improv. All shows will feature an opening act from the Instant Theatre Conservatory ensembles and we have a spectacular opening night show February 23rd – THE CONFIDENCE MEN, a group from Austin, Texas performing a fully improvised play in the style of David Mamet. Should be f*@ing great. Well, the whole week will be f*@ing great.
Aside from all of our productions, all year long, we also produce the Vancouver International Improv Festival every fall. This year’s fest is September 26- October 1.
For more information on Instant Theatre’s upcoming shows, check out their website!
Have you ever gone to Science World and thought, “This would be more fun if there weren’t any children?”
