First published in Onya Magazine, on March 6th, 2011.
The premise is simple; two teams (the Hearts and the Bones, comprised of some of Melbourne’s funniest comedians) battle it out against each other to create comedy sketches on the spot.
The reality is much, much funnier; using only audience suggestions and a handful of props, The Big Hoo-Haa improvise their way through scenes and songs and scenarios – and they do it all so bloody well.
The Big Hoo-Haa is theatre sports on steroids. It’s Thank God You’re Here without the door and cheesy pre-prepared actors. It’s clever comedy – the kind you walk away from smiling, whilst knowing full well there’s some serious talent and brains involved in making it that way.
Their show, running until the 23rd of April during the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, isn’t concerned with being politically correct (my personal highlight from the show I witnessed was the impro ‘9/11 musical’) or generically appealing – The Big Hoo-Haa are only interested entertaining. And if you find yourself at a show, and somehow the scenario has gone from a couple having a drink at a bar, to dwarfs invading a medieval castle, just relax and go with it – because that’s where the biggest hoo-haa’s are to be had.
The Big Hoo-Haa, Tue-Wed & Fri-Sun, 6.30pm at The Order of Melbourne, Level 2, 401 Swanston Street, Melbourne until April 23rd. Tickets: Full $16, Concession $14, Tightarse Tuesday $12, Group (10 or more) $10. Click here to purchase tickets.
For regular Hoo-Haa shows, and more information, visit their website.
SANDI SIEGER. 