Improv, short for improvisation, is an art that fosters growth on many levels. It is not just about spontaneously creating entertainment on stage; it is a dynamic, unscripted process where every performance is unique.
It revolves around taking audience suggestions and transforming them into live, on-the-spot scenes, ensuring that each show is distinct, unpredictable, and ever-evolving with humour flowing naturally as the act unfolds.
In an interview, a performer at a local comedy company BruHaha, Afif Ghazali, said that improv is like creating a skit right then and there.
“Improv is interesting… it’s impromptu and not scripted. If you see one improv show and you see another, it’s never the same. The funny thing about improv is that we don’t focus on the comedy bit, it just happens when we do it,” he said.
In their first-ever comedy festival dubbed ‘FestiLOL’, BruHaha featured several improv performances namely, ‘The Improv Show’, ‘Malam Spontan’, ‘The Improvised Play!’ and ‘The Cage Match Show’.
Through the five-week festival, BruHaHa aimed to bring audiences not just laughter, but a sense of connection and community.
During the improv week, they also host an improvisation workshop called ‘Everyday Improv for Everyday People’, allowing newcomers to step into the world of improv and experience the thrill of thinking on their feet.
For Nadia Halim, the project manager of FestiLOL, she discovered improv as an audience member which drew her into the format.
“I used to go to their stand-up shows, but after watching improv, I was hooked. Because the show could be good or bad. You feel like not only are the comics a team, but you feel as part of the show,” she said.
Nadia further said that what she enjoys most about improv is how audiences often think their suggestions need to be funny.
“What I realised is that it’s more exciting when it’s not a funny suggestion and it’s the comic’s job to make it funny. Because that’s why you’re there. You’re there for a good show. You could say, like for example, if they ask, what job do you do? You could just be like, I sweep. How can you make that funny?” shared Nadia.
Improv shows thrive on audience interaction. Their participation is central to the improv experience, transforming the performance into a two-way exchange where both the audience and the actors shape the narrative.
In contrast to traditional stand-up, which depends on a carefully crafted script and rehearsal, improv is both unpredictable and adaptable.
“Improv challenges your creativity on the spot. In stand-up, you write and refine a set. In improv, there is zero script, and it’s all about making the scene work,” said Afif.
For the performers, this means practising regularly to hone their skills, build trust with each other, and learn to respond in sync with their partners.
Improv also involves a deep level of teamwork. “In stand-up, it’s all you. In improv, you’re part of a team. Everyone has each other’s back,” he added.
When a scene is losing momentum, one of the performers will jump in to save it, keeping the energy alive and maintaining the flow. The trust among performers allows them to take risks and play off each other’s cues, creating a dynamic and engaging show.
“It’s not disregarding stand-up but it’s a different form of comedy that you (audience) can be part of, and I think that’s the best thing about it. I see less pressure from the performers when they improvise,” shared Nadia.
This collaborative element makes improv a unique experience for both the performers and the audience.
Before a show, BruHaHa’s team often warms up with a game called ‘Mind Melt’ to synchronise their thinking, which involves saying random words simultaneously to improve their non-verbal communication.
She described the team practice as “warm-ups for the brain,” likening mental exercise to vocal warm-ups for singers. They learn to engage with each other, trust their instincts, and respond quickly to whatever happens on stage – skills that can be useful beyond the realm of comedy.
BruHaha’s improv performances include a variety of improv games with unique rules and twists.
In the ‘Improvised Play’, the performers will create a piece based on elements suggested by the audience while the ‘Malam Spontan’ and ‘The Improv Show’ will involve games.
“The performers are going to play games, and each game is based on the audience’s suggestions. Let’s say the ‘Stuck in Line’ game, involves three players but only two can say two lines while the other player can say whatever they want,” explained Afif.
Since BruHaha started experimenting with improv, the audience response has been positive. They introduced improv four years ago after the COVID-19 restrictions were eased.
“Most people when we started didn’t know what improv is. It’s great for those who just went and trusted their guts to come to improv. At that time, they just wanted to watch a show (after the pandemic) and they enjoyed it. However, there are still those who don’t know that we have improvised shows,” added Afif.
With BruHaHa’s blend of humour, authenticity, and community spirit, the troupe offers more than just entertainment. Their shows invite audiences to be part of a shared experience, building a connection through laughter and embracing the unexpected, one scene at a time.
For anyone new to improv, Nadia concluded: “It’s random fun – you just come and find out for yourself. It’s interactive and candidly funny”.
BruHaha is set to showcase its ‘The Improvised Play’ on 15 November, ‘The Cage Match Show’ on 16 November at 8pm and the ‘Everyday Improv for Everyday Workshop’ on 17 November at 2pm at TerKidding’s Madang Cove. Get your tickets on festilol.maajlis.co
THE BRUNEIAN | BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN
