Would A Cat Watch This Show?
I don’t usually make improv for a feline audience, but sometimes you just gotta think differently
The latest Improv Chronicle podcast investigates a cool collaboration that has happened between two theatres in two different cities. New York and Chicago are now a little closer together…
Would My Cat Watch My Shows?
I just re-written something I wrote about three years ago. It’s about my cat, Yoda. He is just coming up to four years old. Last night, as he does on many occasions, he slept right next to me, not leaving my side all night.
Yoda’s vet has told me that he has bonded very strongly to me. I can assure you, it’s a two-way bond. We all want validation from those we love and when it comes to improv, one thing us improvisers love to do is invite friends and family to shows. With Yoda part of my household, I’m curious to know what he would make of a night out watching improv. Sadly, as a house cat, he will never get to see any shows I am in, but based on his behaviours, this is what I think he would think if he encountered an improv show:
Yoda the cat, being cute
Openings:
Let’s start with openings to shows because if he is going to hang around, he is going to need to be engaged immediately. There is a certain type of improv that relies on soundscape-style openings with lots of movement and swooshing. I think this would be his favourite and, actually, he would probably try to join in. He loves following movement be it people, birds outside the window or a food bowl.
Patterns:
Cats are creatures of habit and they love patterns. Yoda knows playtime comes before food time and as soon as I say “ Yoda, do you want to play?”, he will meow and get ready to chase a toy around my house and when I say “Yoda, paw” he will hold out his left paw and shake your hand. This makes me think he would enjoy an improv show where we are all paying attention to the patterns in the set. I also think we would get bonus Yoda points for a ‘pattern game’ opening to a Harold.
Game:
In order to find the game of the scene in improv, we often look for a break from routine or unusual behaviour. Yoda is bad with surprises so I think this would be hard for him to watch. I think he likes predictable a lot more than unusual. I once tried a different brand of cat treats and he was having none of it. I am several pounds out of pocket as a result. While he might enjoy the repetition of the game once it has been established, he might not hang around for it if he doesn’t like the ‘un-usual thing’.
Group scenes:
Yoda came to me as a kitten during the first UK lockdown and I live alone, and although he has gained a lot in confidence, he’s still wary around other people. He really isn’t great with humans who aren’t me and it takes him a while to build trust. I think any groups games or large cast ensembles are going to be a no-no.
Intervals:
Yoda loves his treats so I think he is going to be just fine with the interval. Technically that’s not ‘part of the show’ but if people have a good interval they are in a good mood for the next section of your show. If Yoda has his treats he will be in a better mood for more improv.
Slow-burn improv:
Yoda loves patiently waiting to catch his favourite toy. He will spend ages stalking it before pouncing. He will work out the exact angle of attack and has no problem in pausing, adjusting and then making his move. I have a feeling that a slow-burn improv set would suit him perfectly and would probably be his favourite improv style. I suspect he would appreciate slowly emerging patterns, considered moves and, given he startles easily, nothing too frenetic.
Summary:
Yoda (much like any human) will have some specific things he likes to see in improv. To get a Yoda to any of my shows, I will need to skillfully market the experience to him so that he knows it’s going to be his sort of vibe. It’s also worth remembering, if Yoda’s favourite improv isn’t mine, that’s ok. Yoda might know what he likes, but it doesn’t make his preferences anything more than that – they are just preferences, so if he doesn’t come to my next show, I will try not to take it personally. Also, he’s not allowed out of the house.
Improvised Radio Plays Coming Soon
A new podcast of improvised radio plays is coming soon!
If you’ve seen Kornfeld and Andrews at The Magnet in New York, you’ll have seen a beautiful, patient and theatrical improv show. I’ve made sure any trip I’ve made to New York has included seeing that show on a Sunday night.
At the end of last year Rick Andrews and Louis Kornfeld said they would like to do a series of improvised radio plays and have them released as podcasts, and I’m very excited to be producing them.
The podcasts drop in the next few weeks. There will be a release date announcement soon! And now, I ought to go do some sound mixing on an episode….
What Else Is Going On?
Maya Rudolf has revealed that Jack Black was her first improv coach: https://www.vulture.com/article/jack-black-maya-rudolph-high-school-improv.html
I’m enjoying reading my way through David Raitt’s book “The Improv Illusionist” - I don’t know of any other improv book entirely devoted to object, environment and physical work and I’m finding it really useful. https://improvillusionist.com
Have a great week!
Lloydie
Thanks for sharing my book, Lloydie! Glad you're enjoying it.