Flashback
I’d performed longform Star Trek with The Dandies for a decade, and I was ready for a new genre. In 2020, after binge watching Money Heist (Netflix), I asked whether anyone had contemplated putting together a live parody. Notably, lockdown had just started and I wasn’t planning anything for on stage, but the virtual improv scene was emerging. Still, no one
As every “good” heist needs its Usual Suspects, I reached out to people across North America. No one played that way. The crime subgenre has thrived for almost 100 years but even as performers are back to live stages, and still, I haven’t heard about improvised (parody) heist shows
Capers felt like the more accessible dive into the talent pool, so I led a few workshops and classes to test the waters; I still get the occasional MUHAHAHA from Mindful Menace students
Flash Forward
Narrative improvisation is a feat. Adding even more complications, specific detailed information and Plinko-like decision trees, makes it seemingly impossible. What else has that framing? A good heist
Caper heists and narrative longform improvisation share three qualities:
- Ensemble with a known history allows for moments exploring their relationships, revelling in their triumphs and difficulties, and the strength of their trust during…
- Heightened Stakes – challenging, amusing, or humorous situations, sometimes with guns but rarely death! And
- Succeeding is not the end all and be all of the story. Sure they’ve made their plans and got their score, but what comes next?
Caper Heists that Velvet enjoyed
Oceans 11 (and the other franchise films), Fast & Furious (and the other franchise films and cartoon), Ant-Man, Trading Places, The Pink Panther, The Sting
Present Day
Ottawa has experienced a year of dramatic and narrative improvisation thanks to Wayward Improvised Theatre and a few others, like myself, going for it. They’re ready to Deep Dive into heists this month and then a future performance. And I can’t wait to franchise this!
The Velvet Duke 