>>PREVIEW
MICETRO IMPRO SPECIAL EDITION
Loose Moose Theatre Company
Friday, November 11
Crossroads Market
The Loose Moose Theatre Company finally has a new lair. Call it a gallery of improvisation.
Now located on the second floor of the Crossroads Market (1235 - 26 Ave. S.E.), the Moose shares its new home with Artspace Gallery. Tucked in between landscape paintings and metal sculptures is Calgary’s most enduring improvisational theatre group.
But will the mix of artwork and improvisation work?
"I think our regular audience likes interesting things," says artistic director Dennis Cahill, dressed in coveralls to complete last-minute work in time for the Moose’s upcoming grand opening. "It’s the kind of space we’ve always wanted."
After a bitter public rent dispute with its former landlord at the historic Garry Theatre in Inglewood, the Moose decided it was time to find fresh ground to forage. The problem was locating a new home that would give the company enough space to stretch its legs and still accommodate all of its friends.
"We were seriously looking at the Ramsay Design Centre, but the City of Calgary wanted three parking spots for each seat," says Cahill.
In its new location at the Crossroads Market there are hundreds of parking spots for the nearly 200 fans the Moose expects to attract during sellout performances.
"It’s central, it’s easy to find and it’s on a main bus route," says Cahill.
The new theatre will be accessed from the southwest corner of the market where the Moose will have its own entrance. Once up the stairs, patrons will enter the box office and lobby area of the theatre complex, which is decked out with ceramic tile and brass light fixtures.
Inside the 200-seat theatre, plush red seats line the rows. And if they look vaguely familiar that’s because they were part of the Jubilee Auditorium until the province refurbished it for Alberta’s centennial celebrations.
"These are great seats," says Cahill as he plunks himself down in one.
The only drawback to the space is a concrete pillar located in what will be the main performance area. It’s an impediment Cahill shrugs off with good humour. "We’re taking bets to see who will be the first one to run into it," he says.
Founded in 1977, Loose Moose has garnered an international reputation as the original home of Theatresports and other popular improvisational games created by the company’s legendary co-founder, teacher-playwright Keith Johnstone. Yet the company has always operated on a shoestring and its new theatre, which is costing about $250,000 to build, is a major undertaking for it.
"(With) what other people are spending on building theatres, we could build 20," says Cahill.
Although not lavish, the space seems well-conceived and was put together by a team of people consisting of Cahill, project manager-performer Ken Gardner, staff and volunteers.
One of the extra touches for the theatre is a rubber floor that will cover the stage. "It’s easily maintained," says Cahill. "And if we ever want to wrestle…."
Never down for the count, these self-described "outlaws" of Calgary’s theatre scene will open their new space on November 11 with – what else? – improvisation. On the menu is a special edition of one of its mainstays, Micetro Impro.
"It will be special," promises Cahill. "The first night in the theatre." |
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