Ensemble cast members of “Hookup”, Photos by Eden Graham
While the performance I attended was not as seamless or perfectly paced as their exhilarating show Holiday, Bad Dog Theatre none-the-less has a dynamic and entertaining improv concept with Hookup, presented in association with Factory Theatre. Directed by Paul Bates and featuring an ensemble cast that includes Bates, Christy Bruce, Alastair Forbes, Natalie Metcalfe, Kirsten Rasmussen, and Sharjil Rasool (with Paloma Nuñez and Kris Siddiqi not in the performance I attended).
Gathering intel—name, occupation, ideal dating mate—for the characters in this improvised storyline about lustful entanglements, the performers chat up two audience members who identify as single. This interview segment is a suitably funny opening bit and the resulting nods during the performance are always inspired. Especially bounteous is the job of consultant and the audience member’s unguarded description—“telling people who know more about their jobs that I do what to do.” This lead to one of the most enduring running gags.
Oh, and “platonic date” was a concept that had solid mileage too.
There is a real sense of immersion and camaraderie as the cast continue to to seek input and clarification from the selected audience members. The wacky antics include: “spoken word” singing, arson, an unlikely threesome, a defiled religious text, and a brief yet gloriously unhinged encounter with chair. The cast masterfully harness random shifts in energy and off-the-cuff embellishments.
The last handful of scenes did begin to strain my tolerance for the and then protraction of the story, which was then on the cusp of getting stale, but incredibly, the cast manages to get the audience back on-board, again and again, even after we’re sort of over it. Technical director Seann Murray also has an intuitive sense for when a scene has reached its peak, with his blackout cues ending scenes on a perfect button.
Again, my expectations were raised a little too high by the tight consistency of the improvised storytelling prowess and musical integration on display in Holiday, but this team is undeniably proficient and charismatic here too. It’s certainly a rewarding 75 minutes of playful shenanigans.
Hookup
running February 6 to 15, 2025
Factory Theatre, Studio (125 Bathurst St.)
running time: 75 minutes (no intermission)
Ensemble cast members of “Hookup”, Photos by Eden Graham