Improv RPG Call of Cthulhu

Improv RPG Call of Cthulhu is a new show from the people who have been running Improv D+D for the past eight years Like its predecessor, it is based on a role-playing game and is longform improvisation, with roadblocks and turns of fate designed to interrupt and complicate the action.

The inspiration, Call of Cthulhu, is a role-playing game, first released in 1981, in which everyday people become investigators in the unknown or paranormal. It, in turn, is based on H. P. Lovecraft’s story of the same name and set in a darker version of our world.

The improvised show also draws on Lovecraft, as well as Agatha Christie and Edgar Allen Poe. Set in the 1930s, in the comedy-horror genre,it  features some strange characters and is thoroughly entertaining. Last week’s story ran over two nights, with different casts, with the first night ending on a cliff-hanger. Knowledge of Call of Cthulhu isn’t necessary to enjoy the show, and although I couldn’t attend Night 2 to find out what happened, the first performance was fulfilling in its own right.

As always with improvised shows, your experience will vary, but at the first performance in this short “preview run” the cast were strong group of improvisors who bounced well off each other and responded to challenges with skill and good humour. Scott McArdle was Master of Ceremonies, Games Master, and occasional character, keeping everything running smoothly and adopting broad stroke characters with aplomb. Daniel Buckle was the Non-Playing Character, playing as many extra characters as needed and sometimes forced to have a conversation with himself - an excellent performer. Rachael Chamberlain was delightful as Maggie, an elderly astronomer with a skip in her step, Tristan McInnes charmed the crowd as silent screen star Nicotine, with identically dressed Rhianna Hall successfully taking on the most challenges as his stunt double Lou-Ann.

Jackson Griggs cleverly improvised musical accompaniment, with singer Sam Knox (perhaps a little underused on this night) adding beautiful song.

Improv RPG Call of Cthulhu will return for FringeWorld and probably beyond. A great choice for improvisation fans, those who love the bizarre and fans of role-playing games.

Kimberley Shaw