THERE’s another new performance company in Canberra and they’re kicking off tonight show at Smiths.

Lightbulb Improv is a troupe of improvisers launching a regular monthly comedy show at Smiths Alternative called ‘Switched On’ in which  the players will create a fully improvised show featuring games, stories and musical numbers.

The troupe features amix of fresh and experienced Canberra actors and  is the brainchild of Amy Crawford, Lou Maconachie and Merriden Varrall,  three like-minded women who needed an outlet that could work around job and family commitments. Its beginnings involved kitchen table meetings with kids on laps and troupe practices at night when the kids were in bed.

“We want to offer Canberra more art and humour. Improvisation gives us a chance to create stories and moments that will delight the audience and connect us all in laughter or recognition.” explains Maconachie says, adding , “I also want to play as a part of a tight ensemble that performs regularly. “

Varrall’s was very particular.  “I was a part of a fantastic improv group in Beijing, and wanted to recreate that feeling of working with other players you really know and trust,” she says. For Crawford it was to re-ignite a dormant spark “Sometimes you get lost in work and children and forget your own goals. Lightbulb has given me the drive to find my ‘fun’ again.”

Each show will be created from a different theme, which will be supplied by the audience. The players, Amy Crawford, Benjamin Crowley, Catherine Crowley, David Woodgate, Ewan Lawrie, Emil Tow, Helen Way, Jeremy Strasser, Joshua Bell, Laura Griffin, Lou Maconachie, Merriden Varrall and Michael Carter,  will weave that theme into their improvised games and stories.

The first show will explore the theme of, well,  ‘Firsts’.

Switched On, Smith’s Alternative, Alinga St Civic, 7pm  today, Friday, September 9, then second Friday night of every month, bookings to smithsalternative.com