Battle of the Genres: An Improvised Mashup
The cast each takes an audience suggested genre and weaves them together into a single performance — with each genre battling for control of the show as the night unfolds. Which genre will reign supreme?
This was a very interesting concept! 5 different genres battling out with each other!
I was laughing the entire time!
Novel idea, very entertaining
These guys are great improvisers and the format is really fun. It's very neat to see how each person pushes their genre. And they are respectful of the female improvisers and let them play as well, which is not always the case with improv troupes. Super fun show and different every time!
One of my favorite improv shows! Each performer has their own personality and brings something unique to the genres they get from the audience. Watching them both compete with each other and support each other's genres is easily the best part of the show!
Battle of the Genres: An Improvised Mashup was a lesson in the art of just having fun. It was a radical and exciting production which kept the audience engaged as the performers built compelling improvised scenes.
The show began with a request to the audience for a genre for each performer to embody. The characters-in-genre then fought to make sure their genre was the most prevalent out of them all. Each actor had to rapidly and spontaneously create characters based on their genre and give them emotions, motives and complex backstories. The show was hilarious and each performer gave their all as they fought to dominate each scene.
Upon my genre suggestion, two performers created a perfect rendition of a Wes Anderson film, with improvised dialogue, mannerisms, and character flaws that were very synonymous with his style! Their dedication to the suggested genres made the audience feel validated and excited to see their genre in action.
However, the performers could have physically embodied and committed to their scenes more, as each break in character disrupted the audience’s attention. They often laughed at their own jokes and visibly acknowledged mistakes. Additionally, in order to move the plot even further into absurdity, the performers could have built upon each other’s ideas more intentionally. Although the chemistry between the characters felt forced and the plotlines of each story felt scattered, it was compensated for by the actors’ dedication to their characters and ability to just have fun on stage.
Some scenes and jokes were also inaccessible to younger audience members, and an appeal to a wider range of audience would have allowed for a more attentive and excited crowd.
In improv, no two shows can possibly be the same, and Battle of the Genres is no exception. The twists and puns and random breaking out into song were entirely unique to that night and despite its hiccups, is entirely too funny to not see at least once.
5 genres duking it out to see who can wins? What more can you want? Super fun and the cast plays really well together. No show is the same!
What a fun improv romp through different styles of books, movies and tv shows! The mashups were chaotic and hilarious! The venue was cozy, great access to bathrooms and refreshments. Highly recommended!