THEATRE REVIEW: SLEIGH!
1.12.2022 Basement Theatre, Auckland
Photo by Andi Crown
SLEIGH! is a completely improvised Christmas-themed performance with a revolving cast and celebrity guest each night. This means that no two performances are alike, or even remotely similar. Set in a ‘Worstfield’ mall during the Christmas Eve rush, The SLEIGH! chaos and humour is all about laughing together at the things that make New Zealand Christmas what it is.
When we got to Basement Theatre, I was running on only a couple of hours of sleep. It had been a hell of a year and I was feeling burnt out. To make it worse, it’s Christmas. Again. Hasn’t Christmas just been and gone? And for a frequent theater goer, I have never actually been to an improv show before. To be perfectly frank, I avoid them. I did enough community youth drama to feel second hand embarrassment whenever I think of improv shows. In short, I was tired, grumpy - and wary of what I was walking into.
But when SLEIGH! started, I had no choice but to stop being in a bad mood. Rhiannon McCall, one of the directors and performers, walks on as an MC for the night, asking the audience for the night’s prompts. Then we are introduced to the cast via a performance of the Mean Girls talent show dance. It was at this point I realized I made the right choice to come to this show.
Photo by Andi Crown
The Heartthrobs cast (an improv group formed for femme and non-binary performers) are witty, hilarious and know exactly how to make everyone laugh. I’m usually terrified of audience interaction, but I noticed the cast making an effort not to call on people who deliberately avoided their eye contact (me). The space genuinely felt understanding of theatre-goers who don’t want to be unwillingly called on. On top of this, the cast built up a rapport with the audience almost immediately, securing inside-joke gags with everyone, and making any improv first-timers, like myself, feel exceedingly comfortable. The humour was never at the expense of anyone, either, only familiar New Zealand archetypes and scenarios.
But most importantly, the Heartthrobs cast were hilarious! The way they took seemingly unconnected situations and found a communal laughing point was crazy. Their miming, energy and accents were fantastic, and I found myself laughing at every gag they presented. Growing up watching Whose Line is it Anyway, I remember the backlash that happened when they introduced a female performer. SLEIGH! was like a huge middle finger to all the men who say womxn can’t be funny.
Photo by Andi Crown
SLEIGH! will be one of my favourite memories from December 2022. It was hilarious, entertaining and a celebration of just letting go and having fun. Driving home, I spent the entire car ride turning to my partner and asking, “ do you remember that part?” and just bursting out laughing. If you’ve never been to improv, or you’re looking for something to do between now and the 23rd December, book your tickets to SLEIGH! Now.
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Book your tickets for SLEIGH! here!
Created, Written And Directed By: Heartthrobs
Presented By: Basement Theatre and Heartthrobs
Cast: Donna Brookbanks, Alice Canton, Alice Connolly, Johanna Cosgrove, Courtney Dawson, Bronwyn Ensor, Freya Finch, Janaye Henry, Ella Hope-higginson, Renee Lyons, Liv Mckenzie, Batanai Mashingaidze, Rhiannon Mccall, Chelsea Mcewan Millar, Kalyani Nagarajan, Emma Newborn, Ariaana Osbourne, Liv Parker, Lee Smith-gibbons, Bryony Skillington, Brynley Stent, Lana Walters, Catherine Yates, joined by a revolving cast of celebrity guests!