Review: FIND YOUR TRIBE by Best On Tap

Find Your Tribe is the latest offering from Wellington improvisation company Best on Tap, a troupe known for creating narrative-driven improv rooted in authentic human experiences. The show first appeared at BATS Theatre as a one-night-only performance earlier this year before returning for a longer season. Its premise explores friendship through the lens of classic romantic comedy tropes, asking not how we find "the one", but how we find the people who truly belong in our lives.

This was my first venture into the world of live improvisational theatre. It's a form I've been curious about for years, fuelled largely by fond memories of watching Whose Line Is It Anyway? and marvelling at the performers' ability to create comedy on the spot.

What I discovered was something quite different.

The evening began with audience suggestions, which eventually landed on the themes of "being genuine" and "pool" (the game, not the swimming variety). From these simple prompts, the cast began constructing a story. At first, the scenes felt like a collection of loosely connected sketches, but as the performance progressed, seemingly unrelated moments were skilfully woven together into a coherent and surprisingly engaging narrative.

Accompanying the performers throughout was a keyboard player whose subtle musical underscoring added atmosphere without ever becoming distracting. It enhanced both the comedy and the emotional beats, helping to shape the story as it unfolded.

The staging was minimal. Four orange boxes were the only set pieces, yet through the performers' imagination and commitment they transformed into everything from seating to a car and even a bar leaner. It was a reminder that effective theatre doesn't always require elaborate sets when the performers can convincingly create the world around them.

There was some understandable hesitancy early on as the cast worked to establish the narrative and determine where the story was heading. However, once the central storyline emerged, the performers fully committed to their characters and the production found its rhythm.

What developed was an unexpectedly touching story centred on an ageing couple, one a veterinarian and the other a driver, as they grappled with questions about retirement, purpose and what the future might hold. Alongside this was the story of a man searching for greater meaning in life, who found himself mentoring a younger individual struggling to commit to anything for very long. Their shared passion for pool became the foundation of an evolving friendship and some of the show's strongest moments.

What impressed me most was the balance between humour and heart. There were plenty of laughs, but the performance wasn't afraid to slow down and explore more reflective and emotional territory. The scenes featuring the older couple, in particular, provided some genuinely moving moments as they contemplated the next chapter of their lives.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one-hour production. While it wasn't what I expected from improvisational theatre, it delivered in ways I hadn't anticipated. Beyond the quick wit and clever callbacks, there was a surprisingly rich story about connection, purpose and friendship.

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