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Cue to Cue Series - Ghost Jail Theatre

Laurence Olivier once said that “ in a great city, or even in a small city or a village, great theatre is the outward and visible sign of an inward and probable culture “.

Here on Cue to Cue we’ll regularly feature in-depth previews and reviews of the shows that create the face of Vancouver theatre, as well as interviews with the local artists behind it all…

Laurence Olivier once said that “in a great city, or even in a small city or a village, great theatre is the outward and visible sign of an inward and probable culture“.There is no better proof of this than in the umbilical connection between Vancouver’s thriving culture and bourgeoning theatre scene.

It's the last week of Spring and there's a fever in the air.  While arguably no one is doing keg-stands after watching an English adaptation of a Russian stage piece, there is a palpable excitement in the theatre world comparable to a game day.  Whether it be the seemingly overnight crop-up of amazing comedy/improvised theatre options, or the myriad of scripted works on stage right now, when game 7 is over there will still be something worth lining up to see.

Not many shows opening this week, although Bard on the Beach opens their second offering of the season The Merchant of Venice on until September 23rd. The 29th Annual Jessie Awards are on Monday at the Commodore, honouring some (but definitely not all) of the best theatre of last year in Vancouver.  Continuing this week is Hairspray at the Arts Club (with Jay Brazeau back in full form), The Great Divorce at Pacific Theatre, and the must-see Forty Deuce at Little Mountain Gallery (seriously go see this, it's unbelievable and full of talent/six-packs).

This week, tonight specifically, a great show is stealing some focus.  While this feature sticks mostly to scripted work about town, I have had the great pleasure of watching and at times working with a group of Improvisers that have a format as close to capturing the highs and lows of a theatre piece, spontaneously, than I could have ever imagined possible.  Ghost Jail Theatre's format is a Toronto export but features some of the best Improv talent around.  I had a chance to chat with one of said talented people, Kaitlin Fontana, and she provided some insight into the collective super-mind of Ghost Jail:

What is Ghost Jail?

Ghost Jail is a comedy show. Seriously, it's a really funny comedy show with a fantastic audience.

Each show we create comedy based on a theme chosen at random from the audience. With no forethought or notes we make up scenes and stories and write impromptu monologues about the theme.  The things we say about it are funny. And sometimes they're sad. By always - and I mean always- we laugh our faces off and have the best time. We have so much fun with each other and the audience (and the beers and jokes)...

Who is Ghost Jail?

Ghost Jail is Ian Rowe, Caitlin Howden, (the founders) Kaitlin Fontana, Alistair Cook, Tegan Verheul, Craig Anderson, Devin Mackenzie, Christine Bortolin, and you...who should totally come.

It's true--the audience is one of the best parts of our show. They keep it awesome.

What makes this show different from most of the Improv shows available in Vancouver?

One.

Our audience. They are a bunch of regular people who are easy to hang out around and with. There are comedians, but not just comedians.

Two.

We have a big, friendly cast that's more or less a Supergroup of Vancouver's best improvisers: from Instant Theatre, the Sunday Service, and Pump Trolley, for a start.

Plus, we're writing make-em-ups and performing make-em-ups at the same time, which is kind of like playing piano and drums at the same time. Hard, but super cool looking!

What do you love about Improvising?

Ghost Jail loves community. It's our biggest goal to do comedy (duh) that people like and isn't stupid (dur-duh), but it's our second biggest goal to bring people together. After our shows we hang out and talk to you, because we want to create a place where people come to meet each other and enjoy good art, as well as just sitting there laughing and drinking. A happening, if you will...if you're a hippie. Hippies, you should totally come!

Also, It's so fun. We love to laugh and make up things with an audience and our friends. It exists once and then never again and we're all in on the joke.

What would you say the major differences are in producing a scriptless show and those with one?

Most of us do sketch, or some form of written work on the side (some of us are even on the TV on occasion!). They feed into each other, and they are definitely related. But improv is the more relaxing one. As a result, the production of an improv show is more fun and relaxed. You won't forget your lines, for one thing.

Anything can happen. Then it does.

What's next for Ghost Jail?

Ghost Jail is going to enjoy the summer, during which we may indeed do a show or two. We're also going to be showing around newly-transplanted Torontonian and Second City alumna, Caitlin Howden, who has much to eat and do in this fair city of ours. Fans can follow us on Twitter @ghostjail and online at www.ghostjail.com.

You can check them out for yourselves tonight at the Waldorf, 8pm, where they host "Tiki-Wha?" a Ghost Jail show featuring live music from Crystal Dorval, an improvised musical story from Aaron Reed of Sunday Service, and more delightful guests and friends.

Ghost Jail Theatre (photo provided by artist)

Next week we feature Theatre happenings and in-depth features, but 'til then: @viaplays on twitter or email me at cuetocue@vancouverisawesome.com