The dysleXia Men. From left to right, Bridie Connell, Dave Callan and Jon Williams.
On Saturday four teams of improvisers will take to the stage at the Enmore Theatre in a comedic battle of wits for the Theatresports Cranston Cup.
With this year’s theme of Superheroes, each impro comedy team boasts a rare superpower that will best equip them to challenge for glory, rich prizes and the biggest, ugliest trophy in the known world – the 2 metre Cranston Cup.
The dysleXia Men are one of the finalists so we asked these three great Sydney improvisers about the city that keeps them thinking on their feet.
Who are you?
Bridie: I’m Bridie Connell, by far the most mature member of the Dyslexia Men (although that’s not saying much).
Jon: Jon Williams aka Magento – I can move things using only the power of my hands.
Dave: David Callan aka Winelover. I can play spoons.
What drew you to be in this team?
Dave: I really wanted to annoy Jon Williams by playing with him. Bridie was an unsuspecting bystander.
Jon: We needed someone who knew what the kids were into these days and could hold her own with 2 very random improvisers being a kiwi made her funnier.
Bridie: I’ve always believed in giving back to the community, and I thought that I could take a couple of troubled, middle aged men under my wing and show them the possibilities that comedy offers. I’m like their Gandalf. It’s been delightful watching them blossom.
What is your claim to fame?
Dave: Only ASIO officer to quit the spying game for the comedy game …
Jon: Reigning Theatresports Cranston Cup champion (in “Bavarias Wurst”), I had a play about refugees read at the Opera House for World Refuge day in 2003, and I am a pretty damn good puppeteer.
Bridie: Well, I don’t like to brag, but I once sat in an armchair that had been previously occupied by Ewan McGregor…’s mum. True story.
What’s your go-to place for great comedy in Sydney?
Dave: Other than home? The Roxbury Hotel in Glebe for impro, the Comedy and the Fringe Bar for stand-up and the Old Fitz and Bondi Pavilion for theatre.
Jon: It would have to be the Factory Theatre in Marrickville or the Friend in Hand pub in Glebe.
Bridie: Project 52 at Hermann’s Bar at the University of Sydney – they may not always have the big name acts, but they do provide unique and brave comedy from smart, open, exciting storytellers, stand ups, actors and improvisers.
Where do you head for good coffee?
Jon: I drink Ice Break bottled iced coffee so any Woolworths or Coles works for me. Or Bones Cafe at the Leichhardt dog park.
Bridie: Forsyth’s café in Naremburn. Great quality tea and coffee, and amazing lemon myrtle biscuits!
Dave: The Gourmand Deli in Rose Bay North. After a 2 month trip to Europe, I made the taxi stop there so I could get a coffee. It really is world class.
Where do you like to eat in Sydney?
Bridie: I love to go to Sappho’s Bookshop, Wine and Tapas Bar on Glebe Point Road. The tapas are so yummy, and washed down with a glass (or two) of sangria it makes the perfect summer evening.
Dave: Bondi Tratt, Catalina, Tetsuyas, Hurricane Grill, Red Lantern … I suppose this means you can make a living from impro …
Jon: I’m cheap so pub-cha at the Annandale Hotel rocks. Or a good pub meal at the Empire Hotel or Roxbury are fine too. Or Chinatown because they have those cool sizzling plates shaped like cows.
Where do you like to go on a date?
Jon: On date night with my lovely girlfriend, we usually go to Broadway Shopping Centre for Bibimbap a movie. And it’s usually a 3D animated one because I have the mind of a child she is very patient.
Bridie: I should say something trendy, but really I’m a sucker for old school romance so I love to go the Chauvel or Dendy Quays to watch a classic film. Maybe a drink at the Opera Bar afterwards!
Dave: Luna Park. I like to see how my date can handle crisis … please don’t tell my wife …
How about a favourite shop?
Jon: JB HiFi (I love movies comedy TV shows they’re so cheap!) OR Kinokuniya because they have cool books comics a name I can’t pronounce OR Terrific Scientific – so many nerdy toys puppets. I love puppets.
Bridie: I really can’t go past Gould’s bookshop on King St – no, as in I literally can’t go past it. That place is like a vacuum – it sucks you inside and I can easily lose a few hours finding treasures!
Dave: Blue Spinach on Liverpool St Darlinghurst. It’s like a Vinnies for people with taste.
What’s your fondest Sydney memory?
Jon: Doing shows in the Art Gallery of NSW for kids with Open Stage, asking them what they see in the artworks then improvising scenes from that.
Dave: Meeting my wife at the Comedy Store when I was on stage and she tried to throw an ashtray at me. Only in Sydney can you shut hecklers down by marrying them.
Bridie: Hmmm – probably my first night in Sydney – a bottle of wine and pizzas at Bondi. I thought the whole place was so lovely and beachy and gorgeous!
What’s your favourite Sydney bar or pub?
Jon: Roxbury Hotel.
Dave: I don’t have one. My alcoholism doesn’t like to discriminate. Honourable mentions: The Bondi Pavilion Theatre foyer; the Old Fitzroy Hotel; the Opera Bar; the White Cockatoo in Petersham
Bridie: The Harold Park in Forest Lodge. It’s nothing fancy, and it’ll never make a tourist brochure, but it’s my local and I feel welcome the moment I walk in.
What are you working on at the moment?
Dave: Writing a sitcom about ASIO; about to start rehearsing a play based on a fanciful conversation between Jackie Kennedy and Lyndon B Johnson on the flight back from Dallas after JFK’s assassination; voicing multiple characters in the French/Australian co-prodution of the animated series Vic the Viking; building a deck.
Jon: Starring in “MicroNation” a new 15 x 5 minute comedy series for channel 11, writing for “LOL” a kids sketch comedy show for the ABC, and taking to the Enmore stage this Sat 3 Dec to defend my 2010 Theatresports Cranston Cup crown.
Bridie: We’ve been prepping for that (mainly I’ve been trying to calm my nerves!) Apart from that I’m working on THE PLAN now I’ve graduated. You know, the one that every parent and adult seems to ask you about – “what’s the plan, darling?” I’d love to know!
The Theatresports Cranston Cup Grand Final is on this Saturday night at The Enmore Theatre, 118 Enmore Road, Newtown. Ph: 9550 3666. www.improaustralia.com.au
