Keeping It Fresh - Sydney Boisvert

There is something special about watching a well-known improviser share the stage with local talent, and Colin Keeps It Fresh does exactly that. This year, Colin Mochrie teams up with different local improv groups throughout the festival, meaning no two performances are quite the same. The performance I attended featured Edmonton’s Gordon’s Big Bald Head, and the collaboration made for an incredibly fun night of improv.

One of my favourite aspects of the show is the concept itself. Seeing an established performer like Mochrie use his platform to perform alongside smaller local groups is a wonderful way to introduce audiences to artists they may not have discovered otherwise. Gordon’s Big Bald Head certainly made the most of that opportunity, keeping the energy high from beginning to end.

The performers were incredibly quick on their feet, particularly when bringing back callbacks to earlier jokes and scenes. These moments felt intentional and rewarding, giving the performance a sense of connection despite being entirely improvised. The improvised songs and musical moments were another highlight. Watching the performers create genuinely clever lyrics and musical bits completely on the spot was both hilarious and impressive.

While I would have loved to see Mochrie involved a little more throughout the performance, Gordon’s Big Bald Head proved they could easily command the stage alongside him.

Colin Keeps It Fresh celebrates what makes improv so exciting: collaboration, spontaneity and performers willing to follow an idea wherever it takes them. With different guests each night, it truly keeps its promise of keeping things fresh.