NZIF presents: In Bed

Zoe Joblin

True to it's title, In Bed starts in a very ordinary double bed, with a blue checkered duvet and an excess of pillows. Seasoned Improviser, MC and Director Brendon Bennetts welcomes the audience to the makeshift bedroom on BATS theatre’s second floor, with warmth and confidence. In his intro, Bennetts tells us why he wanted to stage a show in a bed, explaining that we spend most of our time in bed yet rarely see it accounted for on-stage. In Bed aims to shine a little light on the intimate, moving, sexy and funny moments that can occur between the sheets.

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The cast of improvisers - unique to this performance - are welcomed warmly onstage and invited into the bed for a round of short tableaux. Each one offers a strong dynamic and sets up the audience for a fun show with lots of juicy potential. The audience clearly enjoys the sweetness of the show overall and some of the stronger moments involving bold characterisation and connection from the performers. Responding with generous laughter and applause, the team of improvisers, led by Bennetts’ good-natured charm, are successful in seducing us into the simple format.

Each set-up begins to take a longer form as the show progresses, all with similarly minimal direction from Bennetts. He lets the performers drive the scenes, sensing when they have a strong offer and contributing side-line support when they are unsure of how to progress. Bennetts' warmth towards his team and instinct for when a scene has run its course, help the show to have a strong sense of cohesion and a gentle pace.

There are some hit and miss moments where players struggle to achieve the connection necessary for the intimate context (most scenes focus on romantic pairings) and I do find myself longing for a little more boldness. A standout performance comes from Jen O'Sullivan - Festival director - who is consistently grounded and open in her offers, which makes all her scenes really hit home for me. However, there is really no possibility of hiding behind words or gimmicks in this show and the whole cast is brave in each decision they make to get In Bed.

If I we’re to see this show again, I would love to see a slightly smaller cast who knew each other well as chemistry between performers really increased the watch-ability of a scene. I would also love to see a broader range of dynamics, perhaps facilitated by the MC e.g. we never saw only one person in bed, or children in bed, or sick people in bed... there are so many possibilities for this concept I would challenge it to go there! The strength of the show lies in using physical confidence and connection to show simple and honest interactions. Through this, the players have the chance to create endlessly beautiful stories about the way we exist In Bed; and I hope the show continues to do so.

In Bed appeared for one night only at BATS theatre, as part of the New Zealand Improv Festival. Director Brendon Bennetts has been teaching and directing improv for the Court Jesters since 2002. He hosts comedy quiz podcast THE NERD DEGREE, teaches high school English, and in his spare time writes plays. Brendon is proud to have performed at NZIF every year since it started.