MAHUA IMPROV
BATS Theatre, The Random Stage, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
10/10/2019 - 12/10/2019
Production Details
The Mahua Improv Show is a very renowned and popular Chinese improv comedy show, using free dialogue, physical expression and performance skills to create unique improvised comedy. Mahua Improv’s enthusiasm and talent are celebrated in China and beyond – don’t miss this incredible event entirely in Mandarin!
In 2015, Mahua FunAge introduced improvised comedy to China. Abandoning scripts and showcasing their quick thinking and unique performance skills, the group has developed an innovative comedy performance and training system known as Mahua Improv. Now with a Auckland-based arm, Mahua brings its brilliant improv to NZIF!
Mahua improvises impromptu scenes, characters, and plots based on keywords provided by the audience. Mahua Improv is beneficial to people who would like to release pressure, express themselves, and inspire creativity.
*Note: This event is entirely in Mandarin without translation.
BATS Theatre: The Random Stage
10 – 12 October 2019
at 6:30pm
Full Price $20
Concession Price $15
Group 6+ $15
Full Price Season Pass – 3 shows for $45
Concession Price Season Pass – 3 shows for $36
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.
Theatre , Improv ,
1 hr
A unique experience
Review by Lukas Zhang 12th Oct 2019
Mahua Improv is a Chinese comedy show. Most of the time, actors are using free daily dialogue and dramatic physical expression to make jokes about culture, society, and humanity. This event is entirely in Mandarin without translation which can be a bit hard for other language speakers to understand.
The setting and lighting are very simple. The actors are all wear hoodies and jeans. Seems like they want the audience to focus on other aspects of the show. There are four actors: three males and one female. As said in their poster, this whole show is without rehearsal, props or script but with a lot of fun and interaction with the audience.
Mahua improvises scenes, characters, and stories based on keywords provided by the audience. After a simple greeting to the audiences, the comedy starts. The guy with a hat is the leader of the group. He starts to walk around and the rest stand back waiting for his sign to act. He makes a lot of jokes about the audience. Some of the audiences are super flattered by him. He seems quite chill and confident of how to please the audience.
They ask the audience to write down any keywords they want on a piece of paper and put them in a bag. First they create a daily situation in a company, where one actor plays a man who wants to get a job. The guy he plays seems silly and smiles a lot. He tries so hard to impress his boss but often says stupid stuff which is very funny if you can understand Chinese.
Then they pull out all the keywords from the audience they gathered in the beginning. They pair up have to perform whatever the keyword is and create a comedy out of it. The actors truly let go of themselves and the audiences laugh so hard because it is very over the top and funny.
The best thing about Mahua is that the audience gets to participate. The actors’ quick-thinking responses and the humour helps them instantly built a very good relationship with the audience. One audience member gets the chance to get on stage and perform one keyword. This event releases my stress and inspires me in many ways.
All the actors are well trained and have performance skills to create a unique experience for the audience. Mahua Improv is very popular in China and beyond. It is truly an incredible event.
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