Big Queer Improv Party is back for Auckland Pride Week! The sequel, Big Queer Improv Party 2, runs from February 26–28, promising a unique show each night, with all proceeds going to Rainbow Youth.
It’s a packed hour in the Basement Theatre Studio. The opening night cast featured Amy Bird, Bridie Thomson, Rebecca Mary Gwendolon, Georgia Pringle, and Ralph Corke, with Greg Ward providing musical accompaniment.
I’m not a regular improv-goer, but the show’s format is easy to get into. Our host, Rebecca, introduces the cast (and the party) before turning to the audience for a prompt. From there, the prompt is served to the cast for someone to pick up and tell a funny story that will inspire the next round of improvised scenes.
A standout moment came from Amy’s story about her baby shower, which spiralled into a scene where a robot couple discovers—shockingly—that their baby will be matte, not shiny. Years later, their child, Matt the matte robot (played by Ralph), finds love with another matte robot (Georgia) at a speed-dating event. I’ve never seen live improv where musicians can ad-lib music, but Greg’s accompaniment on the keys built the moment beautifully—culminating in the song Electric Dreams Come True. It was pure magic. I gasped, I swooned, I had tears in my eyes.
You might wonder—what makes queer improv different from any other improv?
For me, it was the balance between humour and vulnerability. The show created a space to be silly, open, and playful while exploring topics relevant to the queer community. In one skit, a Harcourts employee is sent to sensitivity training after saying there were ‘poofs in the house.’ This quickly escalates into a house tour where everyday items—like a fruitcake and a bowl of pansies—are called out as potentially offensive, leading to Ralph’s perfect punchline: “Wait until you find out what that pile of sticks is called.”
At its heart, Big Queer Improv Party is simply great comedy. The cast is skilled and their enthusiasm infectious, making for a night that’s funny, smart, and welcoming to all. The intimate setting of Basement Studio is the perfect fit for this kind of show—an hour of queer joy, improv magic, and, most importantly, big laughs.
