THE I-FILES
BATS Theatre, The Random Stage, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
13/10/2021 - 13/10/2021
Production Details
Special FBI agents Smoulder and Gully navigate their own complex relationship as they also investigate paranormal activity in a town near you. Two improvisers play the agents while others create the rest of the world, normal and supernatural, in this improvised X-Files-esque mystery/horror/comedy.
The NZ Improv Festival returns with its annual celebration of improvised theatre in all its forms. From comedy to drama, musicals to mystery, and plenty of mischief, there’s something for everyone. Eighteen unique shows over five days at the wonderful BATS Theatre – don’t miss a moment!
BATS Theatre, The Random Stage
13 October 2021
6:30pm
The Difference $40
Full Price $20
Group 6+ $18
Concession Price $15
BOOK TICKETS
Accessibility
The Random Stage is fully wheelchair accessible; please contact the BATS Box Office by 4.30pm on the show day if you have accessibility requirements so that the appropriate arrangements can be made. Read more about accessibility at BATS.
The NZ Improv Fest takes place at BATS Theatre
Performance programme 12-16 October 2021
Workshops 8-16 October 2021
Learn more at www.improvfest.nz.
The I-Files
Aaron Douglas
Christine Brooks
Ben Jardine
Liz Butler
Trubie Dylan-Smith
Laura Irish
Dan Allan
Matt Carroll (music)
Darryn Woods (op)
Theatre , Improv ,
1 hr
Laughs, suspense, unpredictability, romance and life lessons
Review by Margaret Austin 14th Oct 2021
Blown into BATS by a Wellington gale of massive proportions to witness my second improvisation show, The I-Files in the Random space, I am nevertheless shameless enough to ask the neighbouring couple about the title of the show. Reassured by their tactfully phrased explanation of the TV series The X-Files, that’s evidently replete with secret agents and supernatural events, I am primed.
We’re in America, in Cactus Town, near Arizona. A supernatural event has occurred and the intervention of the FBI (Federal Bureau of Improvisers) is called for. We meet agents Smoulder (male) and Gully (female) who are detailed to investigate. An early interview with the local sheriff elicits the remark “I smell lies” from agent Smoulder – and we’re off on a wild improvisational ride.
There’s a canyon, a history of two lost girls, a town psychic and the sheriff’s wayward son. Added to that mix are Chuck and Clarice and their staunch defence of a relationship that seems inappropriate to anxious parents – familiar, anyone? There are desert sounds, and strange beasts and cacti that keep popping up everywhere. The canyon keeps calling. The investigators keep investigating. We audience are intent and enthralled.
How do you manage a story when there is no plot? How do you react when your improvising colleagues – Aaron Douglas, Christine Brooks, Trubie Dylan-Smith, Laura Irish and Dan Allan with Matt Carroll (musician) and Darryn Woods (operating lights) – well, improvise? The players on stage know. The rest of us should learn.
And as a bonus, the denouement, and there’s got to be one, brings a heartwarming resolution to the smouldering(!) relationship between our two special agents.
Laughs, suspense, unpredictability, romance and life lessons – all in one show! No wonder the cast celebrates so loudly in the bar. I raise my glass to them.
Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer
Comments