by Lucy Allen

Improv Fringe show promises new play with every performance in Toronto this summer.

One of the biggest things that affects an improv show, other than the talent of the performers, is the audience.  So much can ride on their reactions and energy and end up sometimes making or breaking a show.  This is especially the case with Hearts4noses’ You and Me and Me and You currently playing at the Toronto Fringe, a play that is entirely improvised based on suggestions from the audience.

As the lights dim, improv team Kirsten Marie Rasmussen and Dan Jeannotte introduce themselves to their audience (which in our case was a small and initially very shy group).  They have no plot and no characters, only their complete trust in each other and in their audience.  The whole idea is that each performance will bring an entirely different play to an audience.  Our particular show involved earthquakes and proms so that should say something as to what the actors have thrown at them.

What they end up with is actually a fairly complete and entertaining play.  There are plenty of laughs along the way, both on the audience’s part and the performers.  There was definately more than one occasion where someone would crack on stage through a joke, but I’ve always enjoyed that about improv.  Both performers work well off each other and it was just as much fun watching them throw the other curve balls of confusion as it was watching them achieve comedy gold.

This is a show for those who like the unexpected.  While it’s clear that there is definately a structure to their shows, the performers still find some creative ways of navigating through it.  Our particular audience was fairly quiet to begin with and I think as a result it felt like a bit of a bumpy beginning, but by the end everyone was laughing and clapping along, and it was reflected in the performance.

If you like a good adventure and a lot of laughs, check out You and Me and Me and You.  It’s not a complete, polished play, but in this case that’s the best part about it.

– You and Me and Me and You is playing at the Theatre Passe Muraille Extra Space (16 Ryerson Ave)
– Performance times
Sat, July 3 1:30 PM
Sun, July 4 8:00 PM
Mon, July 5 7:30 PM
Wed, July 7 8:15 PM
Thu, July 8 1:00 PM
Fri, July 9 8:45 PM
Sat, July 10 4:30 PM
– All individual Fringe tickets are $10 ($5 for FringeKids) at the door (cash only),  Online at www.fringetoronto.com, by Phone at 416-966-1062, in person (June 30 – July 11 only) at The Randolph Centre for the Arts, 736 Bathurst Street (Advance tickets are $11 ($10+$1 convenience fee), and $5 for FringeKids (no convenience fee for kids tickets).
– Several money-saving passes are available if you plan to see at least 5 shows