Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Vancouver TheatreSports (VTS) has announced Romance Week, eleven days of love-infused programming at the Improv Centre on Granville Island.
Romance Week will feature two new shows, unique Valentine’s Day editions of three ongoing shows and even an improv workshop designed for couples.
The first of the new shows, The Love of Your Life – An Improvised True Romance, began life at the Vancouver Fringe Festival in 2019. Developed by former VTS Artistic Director Denise Jones, the basis for The Love of Your Life comes from a different couple chosen from the audience during each performance.
In the first half of The Love of Your Life, as the couple is interviewed, improvisers re-create some of the key moments in their life leading up to the present day. In the second half, the information learned in the first half is mixed with audience suggestions to provide the improvisers with material to explore what the future might hold for the couple.
“One of the show’s most moving performances at the Fringe Festival happened when we featured a couple who had been together 40 years,” says Jones in a media release. “This show will touch both your heart and your funny bone.”
The second show created for Romance Week is Love Matches – A Valentine’s Day All-Out Love Battle. Hosted by Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and VTS’ GQpid, the show features an all-out love battle as improv couples duke it out in an audience-inspired competition to prove that love conquers all. The evening will also include a Love Astrologer and personalized improvised love sonnets that audience members can take home.
Special Valentine’s editions of VTS’ ongoing shows OK Tinder, Frisky Friday and The Late Show will also take place over the eleven days.
On Valentine’s Day, VTS will host a special Date Night Improv Workshop For Couples. The two-hour workshop will feature improv games and exercises led by ensemble members.
“It’s common knowledge that romance thrives when sprinkled liberally with laughter,” say organizers in the media release. “Memories created by an evening of laughter will last a lot longer and can be more meaningful than any bouquet of roses.”
Vancouver TheatreSports’ Romance Week takes place February 5-15 at the Improv Centre on Granville Island (1502 Duranleau St, Vancouver) Visit vtsl.com for tickets and information.