is my breath hot?

let's take a side road for a moment.

i have decided to become a remilio sheen groupie.

tonight i experienced a wonderful evening of improv at intrepid theatre. i have been intrigued by spoken word performances since watching sylvia so many years ago. the scene where gwyneth and others make up beautiful and rhythmic poems on the spot has stuck with me. it's a completely different experience from reading. but, due to a lack of adventurous spirit perhaps, i haven't made it to a show.

improv and spoken word are loosely connected. not only in my mind, but others as well, proven by the fact that tonight's 'delightful evening of improvised theatre' featured both forms. hosts dave morris and missie peters are victoria based poets who currently make up speakeasy. aside from being completely adorable and stylish (i covet missie's wardrobe), they were witty, lively and fun. i'm sadder than ever that i missed the video game poetry night a couple weeks ago. ya, you heard me. video game poetry.

prettiest thing you've seen all night kicked things off with a round of props. think 'who's line is it anyway?' style comedy. they brought a box of fun and took anything from the audience, including the shirt off one guy's back. i contributed my (sugar/gluten free) dinner. even though down two members they filled the role of opening act well.

lights down, glow sticks enter. boombox improv mixed things up by alternating sketches in the light with those in the dark. they were unofficially awarded best line of the night: "i taught myself to eat like a duck." i would have rolled on the floor if i'd had room.

what stole my heart, however, was the arrival of remilio sheen holding an easy bake oven. this group took the show to a new level. i'm not sure how long they've been performing, together or apart, but these guys know what they're doing: catchy theme music, matching aprons, deadpan dancing. and that's just the first minute.

once they've started there is barely clapping time between sketches. the comedy ranges from intellectual and witty to physical and silly and sometimes to morbid and awkward (which, of course, were the points where i laughed a little too loud). themes and characters are weaved in and out and all the while a tiny cake is prepared and baked in the background. i can't wait til the next show!