Initially an idea to bring a fringe-like event to Whangarei that wasn't during Fringe, than briefly a Northland operating improv troupe, to a script reading event..... than a idea to give little 30min preview shows, and a 40 minute car ride home later, all these ideas amalgamated into the smash improv comedy hit, Acting Blind.
Acting Blind is a unique improv where intrepid actors and a sound and lighting guy try to make sense of a script they had never seen… stage directions were thrown at them that made little sense and some interesting extra instructions from a highly creative (some would say evil) audience. Acting Blind brought an amazing opportunity for audiences to experience participatory, impromptu theatre made locally, by locals. The gap between productions occupying the rehearsal / stage facilities is a mere two weeks, but that time gives a great opportunity for shows such as Acting Blind to keep the Octagon stage warm for the other big productions.
Over two severely stormy nights with over-looming power-outages threatening to stop the show, fallen trees, slips, hurricane winds and excessive amounts of rainwater, we managed to perform to two overcrowded, sold out shows!!!!!!
Not only this, but the shows (and their two separate, unidentical scripts) were met with thunderous applause and painful sides from laughter. Highlights included the perfectly timed yet random sound effects(some even produced live by sound guy Morgan), the spinning wheel of suggestions, the audience submissions being drawn from a hat and not to forget, the amazing impov acting by the entire troupe!!!
Both nights could not have been made possible without the help of Creative Northland and the Artbeat festival runners, who provided an amazing opportunity to put this show on. And also, with all her love and kindness to Rana-Antoinette. Who's constant encouragement and support for the idea and concept(and her partner) literally made sure the show happened in the first place, truly and with love, thank you.
If you missed out on this spectacular Whangarei born improv show, don't worry! It was so successful, we are gonna do it again(sometime)!