Changing Jennifers

Written by @jdtoo

Initially befuddled by the amount of blokes on stage, we soon realise that there are no “Changing Jennifers”, only “Jims”!

Watch out, this show demands audience particiation. We’re asked to write down title ideas, then the “Jims” (aka Eugene, Phil, Eden and Dan) begin their pitches for which play will unfold. The night I went, we missed out on the spontaneous performance of “The ‘Taco King vs Ticket Machine Man”, as this fell by the wayside in favor of “The Fireman and the Dragon” in accordance with the audience participation clap-o-meter rating system. The story set in Fairydomm (aka Ireland) then begins.

How they bring together a good 25 minutes of improv is pure mastery. Apart from a few scenes that lead us up blind trails, the story is held together by about 15 characters – men, women, children …and of course, a dragon! The “Jims” capture our attention with convincing acting, a ton of laughs and an actual plot. The team pull the whole show together so well you forget there were no lines to learn, no scenes to prepare or characters to develop, as it’s all just evolving on the spot!

“Where there is flame without control and a fire without a fireplace – I will be there.”

- reads the Fireman from the (imagined) infamous hat, saving the last of Fairydomm’s inhabitants to rousing applause.

It’s good fun and as you’d expect, a different plot every night!

See what happens next time with the Changing Jennifers, on Thursday, 21 June 2012 at La Boheme (36 Grote Street, Adelaide) at 9pm. Tickets here.

[Ed's Note - if you miss them during the Adelaide Cabaret Fringe Festival, don't panic! They are performing monthly shows until October.]