Scoop Comedy Review: Derek T – Canadian Guy

Wednesday, 23 May 2007, 2:35 pm
Opinion: Kevin List

Scoop Comedy Review: Derek T – The Guy From Canada

As something of a novice to the world of improvisational the start of Derek T's Show late on Saturday had this comedy deficient hack wincing – I thought Derek had forgotten all his lines. After about five prompts from the audience for things he may discover walking around Lambton Quay I was able to relax and join in the improvisational fun (ie the audience feeds certain suggestions and Derek riffs his way through them).

After spotting Derek T at the start of the comedy awards doing a spot of stand up I was immediately struck with how much enthusiasm he brings to a show. His humour is also great for an improvisational show in that it can fly off at many different tangents (mostly funny). If one happens to be an intellectual there is certainly something in it for the more literary minded.

I think- howver the gusto with which Derek T attacks the material means those less scholarly will still enjoy the good humoured nature of the interchange.

Generally the props were the bare minimum – namely chairs. The individual on the lights deserves a gong – especially for the Astronaut outer-space sequence.

From the amount of hearty laughter it seems certain Derek T's show hit a home run with the audience. It was however interesting to note the difference in energy and intensity between Derek T and the Kiwi improv 'expert' who joined him for the better part of his gig.

While I wouldn't say I had become a convert to the improvisational style utilised by Derek T – if someone in NZ has to do it then Derek would be the man.

ENDS

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