Recap of Improv Summit 2011
The 9th edition of McGill’s Improv Summit was held at Theatre Ste-Catherine this year, a welcome change to McGill’s council room. This, along with the addition of Montreal’s favourite improv techie, Dayv (whose name was chanted by the appreciative crowd), made for the most professional show in the event’s history.
7 universities from Ontario and Quebec were hoping to improvise their way into the hearts of the sold-out theatre. The first semi-final was won by UQAM (6 points) over Brock (4), U of Ottawa (2) and U of Toronto (0). Brock University brought a posse of 15 noisy and fairly partisan fans all the way from Southern Ontario. Brock’s team delighted their frenzied faithful with a stage kiss–something we haven’t seen in a few years. Ottawa brought a guitar to the party. U of Toronto deserved a better fate, but one of their players did take home the 3rd star on the night.
Carleton (5 points), fielding a much improved team, narrowly beat host McGill (4) and Queens (4) in the second semi-final Their rendition of an anatomical spelling bee was as funny as it was, well, juvenile. Their “draft dodger” scene about a disconsolate Leafs draft pick was well-received by the Montreal audience.
The judges, Nick and Josh, put Queens through to the final with their wild card selection.
The final was an enjoyable affair with UQAM, predictably, winning its 3rd Summit in a row, and 5th overall. As far as I can remember, this was the first year the winning team did not lose a single challenge. They went 7-0 on the night. Their 8 points in the final topped Carleton and Queens who each grabbed 2 points against each other. Carleton secured 2nd place on account of having performed one fewer scenes (and having won their semi-final). Louis-Philippe won his second consecutive MVP award. Josh from Queens took 2nd star.
UQAM, as in past years, focused on simple story arcs, physicality and character. Their silent scene “Unhealthy Comparisons” was a riot, as were their scenes about a missing land mine (”Abandoned Mine”) and Caesar being stabbed by forks in a delicious birthday cake (”What really happened at Caesar’s Assassination).
My name also got chanted. Just sayin’.
The guys from Carleton have a recap here.
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