The giddy art of improvisation blurs the line between content and form, matching the pinball workings of our brains with near- random movement and jokes.
This weekend offers a host of fixes for improv junkies, with classes and performances at the Denver Improv Festival through Sunday, and Colin
Mochrie and Brad Sherwood of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” at the Buell Theatre on Saturday.
Mochrie and Sherwood, both veterans of the British version of “Whose Line,” trade in one of the riskiest, most thrilling forms of improv: the full-
length comedy-skit show based on audience suggestions.
“We’re in a constant state of finding people’s funny bones,” Sherwood said. “There’s never been two shows that are the same. Even if we’re playing the same games, the show is always different.”
Sherwood said that local, specific suggestions help set his show apart from most touring acts, which might play the same songs or scenes regardless of whether they’re in Denver or Detroit.
“It’s dangerous and fun,” he said. “That’s what people like about improv, because they’re going to see a comedy show and magic act at the same time.”
Mochrie, also an improv comedy veteran and writer, said their show requires a balance of instinct and thought, although at this point it’s more the former than the latter.
“All improvisers have a common language,” Mochrie said. “(Brad and I) were friends before we started working together, and I think that sort of relationship comes out on stage. That was also one of the beauties of ‘Whose Line.’ The audience could tell we all really enjoyed each other. It added that extra layer.”
“Whose Line,” created in the U.K. nearly 20 years ago, lives on in syndication on Comedy Central and ABC Family. Mochrie first joined it after meeting “Whose Line” regular Ryan Stiles and spending time in the Toronto outpost of comedy troupe Second City.
He almost didn’t survive past the first few “Whose Line” episodes in 1991 – network execs wanted to drop him for looking “too old and not hip enough.”
Fortunately, creativity won.
“We’re certainly not edgy performers,” Mochrie admitted. “We’re basically just silly. I don’t know if that goes against us at times.”
Sherwood, who began his acting career at 8 years old, started out in TV dramas and sketch comedies, joining “Whose Line” the year after Mochrie,
although they had known each other before then.
“It’s hard to do, to just relax and play with the person you’re on stage with,” Mochrie said. “But a lot of it is trust, and Brad and I have known each other for about 17 years now. We’re at the point where we really trust each other.”
That trust allows them to navigate prickly situations, whether it’s performing in front of a potentially hostile crowd (the bizarre “MC Rove” incident, in which ex-presidential adviser Karl Rove rapped along during their sketch at a Washington press dinner) or playing to fickle college crowds.
Mochrie admitted to heavy apprehension before a recent Texas A&M University show for a crowd of 6,000.
“You never know how it’s going to go, especially when there’s liquor involved,” he said. “They’re rowdy, and they want to have a good time – but not necessarily listen to what you’re saying.”
Fortunately for the duo, they killed, an accomplishment that often leads to another misconception about improv: It’s too fluid to be real. A backhanded compliment, sure, but no performer likes to be accused of faking his or her art.
“I’ve actually picked people from the audience to help us, and they still think we’ve rigged it somehow,” Mochrie said with a chuckle. “There’s really nothing you can do to change their minds.”
John Wenzel: 303-954-1642
Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood. Iprov comedy. Temple Buell Theatre, 950 13th St. 8 p.m. Saturday. $34.50-$47.50. 303-830-8497 or
