Journalism of Courage
One might think that it takes no effort to make a stand-up comedy show look like a cakewalk. In reality,it takes hours of meticulous writing scripts,days of practice and being on a perpetual prowl for new jokes. After having mastered this art,stand-up comedians in the country are exploring the trend of improv comedy,which is contrary to the genre of stand-up. From the latest act of The Ministry of Schtick to a recent comedy property of The East Indian Comedy and individual comics,the new thing on the block is to break the routine and enter an unpredictable zone,relying entirely on ones sense of humour to win over the audience.
Sapan Verma,a part of the Comedy News Network by The East Indian Company,feels that improv is still picking up as a genre in India since the audience has reached only a nascent stage in comedy. At least 40 per cent of our audience is still watching a comedy show for the first time. So a lot of them dont even know the difference between normal stand-up and improv, he says.
Fernandez explains that there are two types of improv long-term performances and a short-term variation that includes impromptu games such as those featured on the American television series Whose line is it anyway? Though improv provides a variety in the otherwise-scripted performance of a stand-up comedian,it is risky business. You always have to be switched on and keep your mind open to think out of the box to successfully pull off an improv act. Us stand-ups are used to ending with punchlines,this does not happen with improv, says Fernandez,who recently tried his hand at improv as part in his act performed in the city. Verma seconds the thought and believes that since improv is a group-effort,it is rather selfish for a team-member to opt for a punch-line.
He also points out that because every improv performance is unique it has great repeat value; the audience will always witness something different every time they come for a show. But,to pull off an improv act successfully,one needs to brush up their impromptu skills. While doing stand-up,youre so used to doing your jokes that,after a point,even if youre tired or thinking about something else in your head,you can still go on saying the lines. But,with improv,you need to be wide awake and attentive, says Verma.
Shah says that the genre requires one to refrain from planning ahead and keep out of the comfort zone.
