Nov 30th Comedy: "Whose Line is it Anyway" - Live Tour 2006


The live stage show of the original TV hit, starring 5 of the shows stars!

‘Whose Line’ has enjoyed sell-out runs in major regional cities over the past few years, and is making it’s debut live stage performance in Taipei as part of its 2006 Asian tour.

Five performers will be pitting their wits against YOU, the audience, by playing out scenarios in a style and setting of your choice. The whole show is totally improvised – the only difference is the audience decides what the performers say and sing about!

About “Whose Line is it Anyway?”
Whose Line remained a massive hit in the UK for over a decade and now enjoys the same success in the United States after the show was bought by NBC. The show’s format consists of a team of comedians obliged to sing, dance, twist, shout and employ basically every comic device under the sun through a series of skits based on suggestions from audience members.

About the live stage version
Whose Line absolutely depends on lively audience participation. “Every show is different” says performer Jim Vranch. “Naturally, the better the audience and their suggestions, the better the show is.”

Although the format for the live show will differ from the TV program, the live version offers numerous advantages. Operating outside of the taste and moral constraints of a primetime TV slot, the live show is often considerably more risqué than its small screen version and jokes can often stray into less politically correct territory than mainstream television channels permit!

“When you see a live show, you become part of the process, like a ping-pong game. It’s better live.” Vranch says. “In terms of exportable comedy, the show is a winner… and every show is different, depending on the audience and their suggestions,” he says. “Ex-pat audiences are generally very keen,” says performer Jim Sweeney.

For bookings, please call 0955 392202

Tickets also available from Carnegies and all major Chambers of Commerce

This is most kool! I love Whose Line! For the folks who teach English here . . . yes, even comedy hypnotists are English teachers . . . I’ve presented a number of papers at conferences on the use of improv games in the language classrooms . . . see http://phillips.personal.nccu.edu.tw/improvlang . . . I have used Whose Line in class as example sets for years . . . the show has been on the air for forever and a day (British then American versions).

Wow. Exciting news.

All the best,
Brian
Comedy HYPNOSIS Shows
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com
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A very good point - actually, this show always goes down very well with the teachers in Japan - which has been included on the Asian tour since 2003. Due to demand there, the show is now put on for 3 nights. As an improvisational show, it is also very suitable for non-native English speakers. The mix of locals to westerners in other regional cities is around 50/50.

As this is the first time for Whose Line in Taiwan, tickets are being offered at the bargain price of just NT$1,900. In other regional cities, where the show is more well-known, the price is pitched nearer NT$3,000. The show is already sold out in all other regional cities for this year’s tour (including 6 nights in Hong Kong).

$1,900 bargain!? :noway:

Whose line is it anyway is/was a great show; I was especially fond of the British version when it was hosted by Clive Anderson who himself often had more wit than the contestants. :notworthy:

Sorry to put a spanner in the works, but If this show is “on tour” with sell out nights here and there, I can’t help but think it will have lost that spontaneous edge. After all, audience participation was always limited in the TV show. Nevertheless, It is good to see more comedy events here - we need more fun. :rainbow:

I would definately not call it a bargain either . . . if the cast had Ryan and/or Colin, maybe. :wink: Of course, one man’s bargain is another man’s outrageously expensive evening.

I prefer Clive’s hosting as well. His banter with the contestants was fun to watch. Drew’s version for the US quickly became a star vehicle for him with it obvious that his hand would stimey creativity on the part of others more than foster it. He really should have gotten more actual improv practice in before deciding that the “prize” would be a game with him at the end of the show. He needed a LOT more practice as the “contestants” are world-class improvisers (if there were an Olympic sport, these folks would be the gold medalists).

A live show might have more spontaneity. On tour just means they have dates in different cities and should not affect show quality other than having to train audiences to do the shout outs and suggestions and to appreciate the type of show. Many companies in major cities in the US, Canada, and the UK have had ongoing improv shows of this type for forty years and they haven’t lost their spontaneous edge. Audience participation still occurred in the TV show, they would put suggestions into boxes when they came in instead of shout-outs. I’ve spoken to a few folks involved in improv who were connected to the show and they had very good things to say about the talent and the work within the limitations of the production. They shot much more than was broadcast.

All the best,
Brian
http://www.BrianDavidPhillips.com

BTW, go to my “extreme bargain” Comedy HYPNOSIS Show at The Farmhouse tonight! :wink: