I arrive early at Bats to enjoy a red and get the chance to observe the slowly assembling group of volunteers to take part in what has been described as “an inventive walk”. We twenty or so participants are in fact the eponymous ‘Sidewalk Heroes’ of the title. This is an improvised outdoor event and I suspect we’re going to be performers as much as spectators.

After being informed we are in charge of our own health and safety, we duly set off down Kent Terrace, led by the intriguingly turbaned Steve. “What are you guys up to?” enquires a young woman as we step over imaginary danger spots on the pavement. She is only the first in a procession of similarly bemused fellow pedestrians.

Our leader has various tips and admonitions as we traverse a territory I had always thought familiar and safe. I can’t take him too seriously but I don’t think he minds.

There’s major drama outside Liquor King. Our leader is usurped by a female being who instructs us to greet the po-faced couple opposite waiting to cross. Cries of “We love your shoulders” provokes a change of expression and we’re friends after all.

A stop-off at Phantom Billstickers involves a third leader, the 2000 year old M’tuk, who alerts us to the significance of a pair of dangling gym shoes. And we’ve a couple more leaders to go before fetching up back at Bats.

Sidewalk Heroes is a suitably good natured, madcap way to begin the final night of this year’s Improv Festival at Bats. 

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