Portal Wine Bar Wednesday 26

While the PLA might already be in situ, Macau better watch out for the arrival of the PLI – the People’s Liberation Improv. Fortunately, these guys are bringing in a barrel of laughs rather than the barrel of a gun.

Putting the ‘ad-lib’ into ‘Liberation’ this Who’s Line Is It Anyway? inspired troupe have been tossing their rapier wit around Hong Kong’s Take Out Comedy Club for a while, but this is their first time performing abroad. Spokesperson Chris Coleman waxed a trifle Ceasare-sque at the prospect: “Today Hong Kong; August 26 Macau; maybe a little bit later the world!” he declared. “If we’re invited.”

This is guaranteed to be a show no one in the audience has seen before. Heck, it’s a show that hasn’t even been written yet. Taking suggestions from an audience in various stages of inebriation, the troupe improvises ten to 12 sketches on the spot, with topics ranging from relationship crises to quirky characters, unusual dilemmas, bizarre household objects, popular movies and more.

As well as the usual difficulties of inventing spur-of-the-moment hilarity, the group is facing a new kind of audience. “It will be challenging for us because we’ll have to be careful not to use Hong Kong references that the Macanese audience might not understand,” says performer Pete Grella.

Their international references and the proliferation of the internet may help overcome cultural barriers, but unfamiliarity with the genre may prove awkward, as could a small turnout. “We performed one show in front of six people. When the crowds are that small, people tend to get hesitant to offer us suggestions which makes it difficult for us; we thrive on audience suggestions and in fact, they are essential to improv.” But they’ve cannily chosen a Wednesday night showing to get bums on seats. “We’ve heard that’s the night performers from Cirque du Soleil’s Zaia show have the night off, so we hope they’ll want to come along.”

While it’s the more the merrier as far as audience participation goes, you may want to leave the young ‘uns at home. This ain’t no family fare. “Depends on the family,” muses Grella. “If it’s the Addams Family, then maybe... if it’s the Brady Bunch, well... maybe not then! Our shows can turn very ‘blue’ depending on the suggestions we get from our audience!” Prepare to be liberated people.