Long Form Improv Comedy Performed by The Long Shots at Alexander Upstairs

Improv Comedy will be back on the Alexander Upstairs stage when The Long Shots perform at Cape Town's favourite intimate theatre venue later this month. Andre Ballot, Pags Bantwana, Justine Buekes, Rob Coutts, Eva Gilliam, Tamith Hattingh, Steve Larter and Mark Penwill will make up performances on the spot, creating a series of improvised scenes and stories inspired by audience suggestions.

The Long Shots, the members of which hail from South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and have been performing together since 2011, will be performing two specific formats over the four-night run. Everything will be improvised: there is no planning and no script, just the comedy that comes from being in the moment.

On 23 and 25 May, The Long Shots will use the "La Ronde" format to explore the intricate relationships of a small group of friends or family that come and go in one specific location. The hitch of the format is that only two improvisers can be on stage at any point in time. Intrigue, romance and deception ensue, as often disparate personalities are forced to coexist.

On 24 and 27 May, the "Armando" - named after Chicago-based improv comedian Armando Diaz - will be performed. Beginning with a personal monologue inspired by an audience suggestion, "Armando" starts with a true story as remembered by the performer. The improvisers then create a montage of scenes inspired by that monologue.

Tickets for each 50-minute performance by The Long Shots, all of which begin at 21:00, are available from the Alexander Bar website, with seats costing R80 if booked and prepaid online or R90 if paid on collection at the bar. For telephone enquiries, call 021 300 1652. The Alexander Bar, Café and Theatre is situated at 76 Strand Street in the Cape Town city centre and can be followed on Facebook and Twitter.