“Goooooooooooood evening folks, and welcome to tonight’s improv show! We’re going to kick things off with a few scenes! We’ll get a word from you and our wonderful improvisers are going to make up a scene on the spot based on your suggestions! So first of all I’m going to need an object, please…”
And so it goes. Scenes like these may be something of a stereotype in the world of live comedy, but nonetheless they form the basis of almost every improv show that has ever been brought to life onstage. Both members of Every Everyday Theatre (Adi and Matt, hello) started off performing scenes just like those. That’s where we discovered a love for the crazy art form known as improv comedy.
Surprisingly, despite our improv roots, Every Everyday is nothing like those scenes. It couldn’t be further from them in terms of style, format and execution. It’s a 45-minute, single-scene dramatic play which prioritises realism over comedy. We don’t even ask the audience for a suggestion! How did that happen, and what do we think audiences can get out of it?
And so it goes. Scenes like these may be something of a stereotype in the world of live comedy, but nonetheless they form the basis of almost every improv show that has ever been brought to life onstage. Both members of Every Everyday Theatre (Adi and Matt, hello) started off performing scenes just like those. That’s where we discovered a love for the crazy art form known as improv comedy.
Surprisingly, despite our improv roots, Every Everyday is nothing like those scenes. It couldn’t be further from them in terms of style, format and execution. It’s a 45-minute, single-scene dramatic play which prioritises realism over comedy. We don’t even ask the audience for a suggestion! How did that happen, and what do we think audiences can get out of it?
The truth is that between us we have been performing improv for just over two decades, including short-form (mainly games), mid-form (scenes rather than games), and long-form (half an hour or more of the same sustained story). Throughout our improv careers we have had the privilege of performing alongside some truly talented and experienced acts, who have opened our eyes to the myriad different directions improv can be taken in, from the silliest short-form game (this could spark heated debate, but my personal favourite is Weekend at Bernie’s) to the most drawn-out long-form (a 24-hour long improvathon once took place in Southend.) Over this time we both discovered that we were drawn to shows that featured a long-form narrative structure with an emphasis on emotionally-grounded, relatable characters and storylines that didn’t push the boundaries of what was realistic but instead focused on creating a story that was simple, yet nuanced. Within an art form that can turn ‘wacky’ in an instant, we found the most meaning in simple, almost mundane, choices.
That’s all well and good, but enjoying a particular style of performance and making a show out of it are two very different things. Cut to a chilly evening in September 2023 which finds us standing outside the Soho Theatre in London. We’re just about to file inside to watch TJ and Dave, two of the best and most experienced improvisers the world has ever seen. To list their experience and accolades alone would take up more words than are available here. They were unequivocally inspirational to us as we sat in that theatre in Soho, and the parallels between their show and Every Everyday are unmistakable and undeniable. Multiple characters, minimal locations, a plot which is thoroughly grounded in reality and focuses on the people rather than the places or the things. In short, theirs is a masterclass in long-form improv. And the most striking aspect? Sure, they played funny characters, but they never tried to make a joke. No one-liners. No setups. No punchlines. The audience laughed, yes, but because of humour that arose organically through the character’s interactions with the narrative and with each other. Bingo.
That’s all well and good, but enjoying a particular style of performance and making a show out of it are two very different things. Cut to a chilly evening in September 2023 which finds us standing outside the Soho Theatre in London. We’re just about to file inside to watch TJ and Dave, two of the best and most experienced improvisers the world has ever seen. To list their experience and accolades alone would take up more words than are available here. They were unequivocally inspirational to us as we sat in that theatre in Soho, and the parallels between their show and Every Everyday are unmistakable and undeniable. Multiple characters, minimal locations, a plot which is thoroughly grounded in reality and focuses on the people rather than the places or the things. In short, theirs is a masterclass in long-form improv. And the most striking aspect? Sure, they played funny characters, but they never tried to make a joke. No one-liners. No setups. No punchlines. The audience laughed, yes, but because of humour that arose organically through the character’s interactions with the narrative and with each other. Bingo.
Inspired, the two of us decided to get together and workshop a few ideas, just to see what flowed. I won’t waste your time describing what happened - obviously we latched onto something we liked, refined the formula and Every Everyday was born. Shortly afterwards, thanks to the Bread & Roses Theatre, we performed for the first time in front of a paying and (largely sober) audience.
But why invite an audience? Why not just book out a rehearsal room from time to time and workshop our ideas for our own enjoyment? It would be silly not to acknowledge the ‘narcissism of the performer’ - neither of us would deny for a second that we love performing for people, and maybe derive a little too much of our self-worth from being found entertaining. But Every Everyday goes much further than that. We want to tell stories that are real and most of all, vulnerable. In doing this, we hope to encourage and normalise being vulnerable in our everyday lives. We believe there is so much wonder and truth to be found if we allow ourselves to open up and be honest with ourselves and with others - and if one person opens up just a little more for having seen our show, we’ll be delighted.
But why invite an audience? Why not just book out a rehearsal room from time to time and workshop our ideas for our own enjoyment? It would be silly not to acknowledge the ‘narcissism of the performer’ - neither of us would deny for a second that we love performing for people, and maybe derive a little too much of our self-worth from being found entertaining. But Every Everyday goes much further than that. We want to tell stories that are real and most of all, vulnerable. In doing this, we hope to encourage and normalise being vulnerable in our everyday lives. We believe there is so much wonder and truth to be found if we allow ourselves to open up and be honest with ourselves and with others - and if one person opens up just a little more for having seen our show, we’ll be delighted.
In short, Every Everyday is our celebration of the beautiful normality and vulnerability found in the everyday. We want to champion the idea that you need look no further than a single day in your own life to find stories which are rare, wonderful and special. This is a style of storytelling that could never be scripted, at least in our opinion, because we draw fresh inspiration every night to create a show that is exceptionally extraordinary and utterly unique. And no two shows, just like no two days in life, are ever the same.
Matt Prestage & Adi George
You can catch Every Everyday at The Bread & Roses Theatre on 2nd September and 1st December 2024: https://app.lineupnow.com/event/every-everyday-1
Matt Prestage & Adi George
You can catch Every Everyday at The Bread & Roses Theatre on 2nd September and 1st December 2024: https://app.lineupnow.com/event/every-everyday-1
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