A couple of action shots from the show:





Snazzy eh?

Picture This: It's 2.30am in the Hi Fi Bar & Ballroom on the last night of the Fringe Festival. It's dimly lit, pulsating with electronic noise and what's left of the fine young cannibals are bumping into each other on the smeared, beery dance floor. The smell of smoke is everywhere and I'm halfway through the plastic cup of soda water with bitters that the harassed, tired bargirl has given me instead of tonic. My suit/costume clings to my skin as the sweat of tonight's performance slowly turns into cold, clammy fingers. I look around in a happy-exhausted-mildly disgruntled daze and realise that I don't recognise anyone within a 10 metre radius. I shake my head and mutter those immortal lines stolen from Lethal Weapon 1, 2 & 3 "I'm getting too old for this..." Moving upstairs I find my kindred spirits hiding in the corners and talking art and fluff...at 3.45am I stumble out into the cold Melbourne night air, light my customary post show cigar and hack and cough my way back to the car reflecting and remunerating on the last three weeks...

Blessed I was to be surrounded by such talent and friends, helping us on music the wonderful Andrew Patterson was a delight and timely ear and eye piece over the early structuring of the show. When he had to leave due to prior commitments, the nimble fingers of Gordon Dorin stepped up to play for us, getting us out of a tight spot and into a warm musical bath. Then to finish off the season we had secured the services of the majestical John Thorne - one night in the smokers alley at the Festival Club, we discovered a shared passion for fine 60s scopiotones and the like, I wish them all fine successes in their next projects (in fact you will probably be able to catch Gordon and Andrew during the Theatresports season).

The Czech House was a great venue to perform at and Paval who runs the place is a lovely bloke with a sense of humour akin to Benny Hill and Dave Allen under the influence of Absinthe. Helping us out on the door were some amazing performers in their own right - Anna Renzenbrink who was in Short Order, Leah Gabriel - a shining light on the Theatresports stage and the two Tims. Tim of the hat (I don't actually know his last name) helped us out immeasurably during the season and sung a mean "Moon River" and Mr Tim Redmond who not only travelled long, shitty distances to be there - also came on nights ho had off and filmed the performances for us - a top bloke and another actor to watch at the current Theatresports season. One mustn’t forget Kevin and his fine digital camera as well (but Jesus - I look so freakin' fat in that suit...why didn't anyone tell me I looked like Alexei Sayle's younger brother?!!?)

On the same bill as us, Jim Lawson proved that short men are sexier and funnier than most lofty pricks and Russell Fletcher took out the much sought after Fringe Comedy Award for his Tribute To Danny Kaye - well deserved and couldn't have gone to a better performer. Not forgetting one of the finds of the Festival - Mr Ryan Hodge on the lights and sound - quite possibly the suavest and most laid back techie I have ever had the pleasure of working with. No one can wear a hat like Mr Hodge.

Finally, to be able to work with one of the funniest, smartest, accent inducing, knee trembling, comediennes in the industry was a constant source of delight and terror. Thanks for saying yes Julia. I found myself relishing the thought of sharing the stage and seeing what would happen that night - even our low shows were kept from disappearing completely down the spontaneous sewer by the quick work and mind of J. Zemiro. No one else can improvise a song about "Koroit Creek Road" entirely in French and make it sound so damn good.

Next - I'm off to Hamburg, Belgium and London soon to improvise my way through Europe and eat fistfuls of chocolate and chips.

I promise updates.

Only four more performances to go and then it will be time to pack away the lavish set (the massive chandelier, velvet chaise lounge, white alabaster staircase etc), pay off the orchestra and have one last improvisation with the lovely Julia. But until then...we're going off!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The very funny and eagle eyed Janelle Koenig (starring in Call Girls - see it quickly) passed on this link to a fantastic Buzzcuts review for our show - thanks Janelle :)

See you at the Fringe over the next week!

...during last night's show. It was perfectly justified and served the narrative flow, we were lost in the Australian outback and had flagged down a passing camel, Julia's character started to recall the Hoth - Han Solo TonTon slashing scene from The Empire Strikes Back and so I replicated - much to her horror and the audience's delight. Sheesh - improvisation takes us to some strange places.
Half way through the season now and the feedback has been wonderful - interesting that a lot of people can't tell what is improvised and what is scripted. It's 95% made up but because we have tried to shy away from over-explaining the improv element it means people are constantly trying to second guess the scenes. Wednesday and Thursday audience numbers have been down unfortunately but lovely just the same. Come and enjoy the fringe there's lots to see - our show obviously, Russell's warm and hilarious tribute to Danny Kaye, Jim's very funny political jabbing cabaret Short Order, then on Sunday check out Theatresports and don't forget Jason's new show Meet Frank McAllistar.
Happy Fringing.
Lliam

p.s. hello lurking Riky

The Festival is over The Festival is just about to begin:

Here's the gratuitous plug folks:

An Evening With Julia Zemiro and Lliam Amor

The more things change the more they stay insane.

Masters of the spontaneous, Julia Zemiro (Rockwiz, Full Frontal) and Lliam Amor (Impro Allstars, Theatresports) are taking a sophisticated survey of the modern world through their rose-coloured glasses: mixing for your late night entertainment an elegant blend of improvisation, characters, scenes and songs.

The chemistry between these two performers along with a dash of inspiration from the audience makes for an unforgettable night of spontaneous theatre. C’est si bon.

When: Friday 23rd September - 8th October (Tues - Sat)
Previews: Wednesday 21st & Thursday 22nd Sept
Time: 10pm
Venue: Czech House 497 Queensberry St North Melbourne (two doors down from the Nth Melb Town Hall)
Tickets: $20 full, $15 Concession, Tuesdays, Previews and Groups 10+
Bookings: 8412 8777 - www.melbournefringe.com.au - or tickets at the door



P.S. No show now on Tues 4 Oct - sorry

Cheers
Lliam