While the idea of community naturally lends to an assumption of inclusion, a community can, and very often does, exclude certain groups or individuals. Whether it’s in the form of isolation from one’s family, belonging to a marginalised group in society, or a physical representation of separation, each of the performances within this triple-bill poses the question “Who do we exclude?”
Featuring:
Sandbox (Australia)
The family has been called back home to celebrate an important event, and everyone seems happy, but below the surface grudges, slights and childhood reckonings lie in wait. Developed by Sandbox, the experimental and collaborative arm of Improv Queensland, the show titled ‘Raising the Bard’ uses the heightened Shakespearean language to explore the drama of one family on a special day.
New Kitten Party (Singapore)
With stories by guest monologist Hamidah Mustafa (Founder of Parrot Social, grassroots volunteer activist across the youth and women’s development scene), join New Kitten Party (NKP) as they explore being on the edges of a community and experiences shaped by exclusion. NKP comprises of a litter of experienced improvisers specialising in the Armando, a famous long-form improv format popularised by Upright Citizens Brigade and improvOlympic (USA). Using true stories provided by special guests, NKP claws their way into the very meat of what makes any story relatable and funny.
Formosa Improv Group (Taiwan)
Staged as a bilingual (English and Mandarin) show, “Firewall” by Formosa Improv Group (FIG) presents two contrasting worlds existing simultaneously, and highlights the coexistence of diverse communities, as the show invites both performers and the audience to discover the origins, similarities, and the unique elements that unite and/or separate these communities. Established in 2018, FIG seeks to connect with audiences from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds through experimental improv games and show formats.