Reviews

Having never seen a live improv show, I had no idea what to expect from Dropped In It, but oh boy was I pleasantly surprised! This talented crew had us laughing from the start and walking out wishing we had one ounce of their skill! Four actors from Tenuous Link are introduced at the start of the show, with the one playing the main character quickly whisked away to miss out on all the major plot points - the audience are asked to come up with an occupation for them, a location for the action to take place, a dream they are harboring and a special someone in their life. The actors get to work setting the scene for us and 20 minutes later the lead actor walks back in and straight up onstage with no clue of who is he meant to be, where he is meant to be or what the hell is going on! Hilarity ensues. Every show is completely different so there are no spoilers if I tell you that our show centered around an ice cream parlour at the Sydney Opera House, "Simon" the plumber (and nice guy), who has a close relationship with his pet spider and has a dream of being able to lip read! Reckon you could make an entertaining story out of that? Nope, me either, but the Tenuous Link crew sure did and we were in stitches the whole time! Their skill of being able to setup the story to incorporate all the plot points, think ahead to how it might pan out, not leave any awkward silences or burst into giggles mid scene was nothing short of incredible. With an exceptional ability to think on their feet, I would now like the cast to be around during any major disaster to solve the problem and add some seriously good comedy relief! The Tenuous Link shows will definitely be on my "must see" lists for all future Fringe seasons! (Are the shows for kids? Probably not really young kids, but older kids and teens will definitely find the gang hilarious and appreciate their improv skills - a tiny bit of swearing in our show, but nothing major!) 

The Tenuous Link Productions are back in force, after selling out their shows in 2021 and 2022. The Improv comedy team is taking the stage again with their quick-wit, malleable skills, and inclusive crowd participation style, with their new show: Dropped in it. The one-hour, comedic, improvisational show relies on crowd participation, allowing the audience to select the topic of the show. This branches anywhere from geographical location, the setting and any special relationships between two characters, and so on, and gives the show a great spontaneous feel. Before the topics are selected, and the comedy freestyle begins however, a special guest is introduced onto the stage (it changes each night), who is typically a well-known Australian personality. For our evening’s performance, it was comedian Damian Callinan, who has featured on Skithouse, Spicks & Specks and in the Melbourne Comedy Festival. Damian was sent out of the theatre for twenty minutes or so, while all the topics were decided, only to return as the main character of the show with zero knowledge of what he had walked in to… But the show must go on! As the name of the show suggests, the star of the show is very much, “dropped in it” to play out the established show with a cold start, without getting any explanation from the audience or crew members of what they’ve dropped in on. This made for a very entertaining hour of quick turns, quick cuts to new scenes and ridiculously funny dialogue off the top-of-the-dome. In turn, the cast members seamlessly bounced off each other’s comedic energy, just as well as the audience’s reactions. This show is perfect for ages fifteen years and older, who enjoy wholesome, spontaneous comedy. ‘Dropped In It’ is showing at the air-conditioned Prompt Creative Centre, located in Pirie Street, which is approximately a five-minute walk west from the Garden of Unearthly Delights and Gluttony. The Creative Centre has a bar with card facilities for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks but be mindful that parking in Pirie Street can be a bit tricky (depending on the time and day) so be sure to plan how you get to and from the venue. 

Had never been to improv before so was unsure what to expect but it was great! Amazing how the cast are able to work together and put together a show on the spot. Very very funny, would definitely recommend! 

Tenuous Link Productions presents a thrilling, crafty and hilarious hour of entertainment, showcasing the talent of the Adelaide improv scene. (Image source: A Total Cop Out! Adelaide Fringe)

By Michelle Wakim | @MichelleWakim

A Total Cop Out! is not only an improvised performance from South Australian theatre company Tenuous Link Productions, but a collaboration between audiences and performers.

Before entering the theatre, each audience member is asked to offer suggestions for a crime, a location, and an expert in any field; immediately, ticketholders know they are in for an evening of surprises.

Once seated, the audience choose from the list of suggestions they put forward when entering. On this specific evening, an unlicensed train driver (crime), Munich (location), and an English Professor (expert) were selected. These details form the narrative for the show ahead.

Audience contribution is a charming addition to A Total Cop Out! as each show becomes a unique experience: an experience shared only by the people in this space, on this specific night.

By placing the storyline in the audience’s hands, the actors are vulnerable as they discover the show alongside their viewers. However, the sympathetic nerves audiences have for the cast swiftly dissolve, as the members of Tenuous Links Productions embrace the show with unwavering confidence.

The success of A Total Cop Out can be largely attributed to the ensemble’s cohesion. They know and trust each other’s abilities, share fantastic comedic instincts, and make timely, inoffensive references that appeal to wide audiences. The performers’ willingness to poke fun at themselves is also a key source of laughter. 

The Coleridge room at The Duke of Brunswick is an ideal venue for A Total Cop Out!. The exposed brick, decorated with yellow crime scene tape, mirrors the raw nature of an improv production, and creates a homely, intimate mood within the space.

Minimal props sit upon the raised stage. A hat rack is stage-right, holding an eclectic mix of hats and costumes; the cast use these liberally to distinguish between characters while simultaneously adding humour. Further, chairs are used creatively to establish settings and levels on-stage. 

When watching A Total Cop Out!, a great deal of pleasure arises from the fact audiences know this performance is only for them and that it will not be replicated. The fleeting nature of this production, paired with brave comedic talent, makes for a wonderful evening of non-stop laughs.

A Total Cop Out! is playing at The Duke of Brunswick from Friday March 5 to Sunday March 8 2021.

Incredibly clever, the way the actors worked together so quickly and cohesively to improvise a crime episode that was hilarious, creative, had multiple layers of interesting relationships and characters, and then all came together at the end! I was totally absorbed and grinning from beginning to end.