Theatre in the Dark - THE BAT
improvised play in the dark
IMPROGUISE |Tandi BUCHAN, Megan CHORITZ, Brett Fish ANDERSON, Ryan Ross JALES, Joshua HUMAN and Iain WEBB
All Ages
The Bat is an Improv format pioneered by Chicago-based Improviser Joe Bill, celebrated as 'theatre of the mind'. It's an incredible fusion of the "HAROLD," a renowned longform improvisation format where performers thread together diverse characters, scenes, and storylines, and the nostalgic essence of old-time radio plays.
The audience is invited to close their eyes, immersing themselves in a world of darkness full of auditory delight. Performers then use suggestions from the audience to craft vivid vocal landscapes and tales, transcending the boundaries of time whilst using the senses and the power of imagination to create a unique aural and sensual experience. Because all the content is made up on the night , the realms of possibility are infinite, and A BAT show is only hindered by the boundaries of imagination.
This is a show for the whole family.
History of THE BAT
Joe Bill is widely regarded as one of the best teachers of Scenic and Comedic Improvisation in North America today. His goal in Improvising and teaching is to foster deeper connections between people and characters, on stage and off. Joe had been a performer, teacher and Director of Corporate Training at iO Chicago for more than 30 years, before the closing in 2020. He is one of the co-founders of Annoyance Theatre and was an Artistic Associate for The Chicago Improv Festival for the 20 years that it existed. He has been an Internationally Touring Teacher, Performer and director for more than 25 years and acts as an Artistic Adviser for several Improvisation and Comedy Theatres and Festivals all over the world. He has taught at pretty much every major Impro/v Festival in the U.S. & Canada in the last 30 years.
Joe developed The Bat with legendary improv team Georgia Pacific and over the last 20 years, Joe has taught and directed The Bat all over the world. In 2012 he met and worked with ImproGuise and taught them many different techniques and formats, The Bat being one of them.
The cast are part of ImproGuise: ImproGuise, Cape Town's longest-running, award-winning Improv Company have been performing continuously in Cape Town and around the country, for the past 30 years, bringing you the internationally recognised short form Improv, TheatreSports. They have also introduced audiences to other fabulous Long form improv formats; some that they learned from fellow improvisers across the globe, and some that they invented themselves such as: Superscene, On the couch, Period drama, Improvised Chekov, Tribute, Little Space between, Soapathon, Jam Sandwich, First Kiss, Last kiss, Musical, Naked Improv, The Chair, Stuck in the Middle, Wordplay , Fake Place and The Bat as well as their annual Improv fest, to name but a few. They perform and teach at various theatres, schools, corporates and festivals both in South Africa and abroad.