This improv performance at BATS Stage is a double bill, or split bill. I’m off to an awkward start because the show titles are in the wrong order on the ticket. Improvisation perhaps? Enlightenment comes from the young woman next to me who remembers me from last year’s festival.

So The Lighthouse is first. Perhaps the set should have been a clue – it’s vaguely suggestive of the eponymous structure mid-stage. And sonorous sea sounds accompany the entrance of a reminiscing Ellen (Brenna Dixon ) who dreams of being a pirate. But the entrance of John (Benny Marama) –  sees both of them decide that the next best would be to be lighthouse keepers: “By ourselves – together,” is how John puts it. The format is from Protea Improv in Hobart.  

Their relationship develops awkwardly over the next couple of days, as marked by the blackboard, revealing the secret longings and confessions of both. Would owning a pet be a substitute for being a parent? Is the cup of tea they’re enjoying a match for his mama’s? Would the Bermuda Triangle be worth a visit? Their uncertainty and tentativeness is exploited well theatrically, as is the concluding action.

Just one comment: delivery is a bit speedy, and some words are lost.

[Editor’s insert: because the improv component of this was not clear to the reviewer, we made enquiries and received this reply:
“For The Lighthouse, the only structure that’s given is: one keeper enters, performs a monologue, and is joined by the second keeper. They do about 20ish minutes of improvising around whatever strikes them, and then the first keeper leaves. The second keeper finishes with their own monologue and leaves as well. There’s no ask-for or audience offer, it’s just based on whatever strikes the improvisers in the moment. Last night I believe both the actors also had objects on them that the other player didn’t know about that they could use in the scene – one was utilised, I believe it was a rock.”]

Friends to the End follows. Now the audience gets the chance to contribute. This invitation is always a winner – we get an informal introduction to our two players, as Aaron (Wiremu Tuhiwai) and George (Brendon Bennetts) alternate questions relating to the eighties with gentle putdowns of the answers. They’re going to go with the song ‘Two Become One’, walkie-talkies and evolving reptiles.

This turns out to be a winning recipe for what follows. We jump 25 years: Aaron and George are still friends. Physicality and mayhem predominate as lizards take over. Erin has lost a girlfriend; George comforts him. Complications develop. Reptiles take revenge. Character swaps at this stage constitute the highest hilarity of the evening.

Ultimately, a colder climate calls and our pair are heading south – friends despite it all.

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