From The Hobbit to The Princess Bride, The Improv Centre serves up Tall Tales: The Quest Is Up To You!
The summer show created by TIC ensemble member Mary Saunders draws inspiration from classic fantasies
Tall Tales: The Quest Is Up To You!
The Improv Centre Presents Tall Tales: The Quest Is Up To You! from June 29 to August 19
MARY SAUNDERS HAS a thing for fantasies—of the classic story-arc kind. No wonder the local comedy artist turned to standout titles like J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and the 1939 film adaptation of The Wizard of Oz when she was coming up with an idea for The Improv Centre’s summer programming.
“There’s something really appealing about a classic story arc I think,” Saunders says in an interview with Stir. “These stories provide the sense of adventure and satisfaction that a hero’s journey often does, and the element of fantasy allows them to do that in a way that lets them all stand out uniquely from one another.”
Mary Saunders.
Fantasy storytelling elements form the basis of Tall Tales: The Quest Is Up To You!, the series Saunders created for TIC’s summertime laughs. In addition to the aforementioned works, Saunders was also inspired by The Princess Bride, Indiana Jones, Labyrinth, and The NeverEnding Story, to name a few.
“When I sat down to put my pitch together for The Improv Centre, the ideas that excited me the most fit pretty nicely together in a fantasy-inspired form,” says Saunders, who is also a TIC ensemble member. “They felt easy to run with and like they’d be broadly enjoyable—I think because the genre is so expansive and well known that there’s a lot to appreciate and work with inside of it.”
No two shows will be alike as the rotating cast members riff off of audience members’ suggestions.
Surprises and the need for quick thinking are some of the factors of improv that appealed to Saunders from the very first moment she experienced the form in her youth.
“I first tried improv as an elective in middle school, so obviously I was very cool,” she says with a laugh. “I heard it was a good class and ended up being hooked right away. I think it drew me in because of its fun, expressive, and collaborative qualities. Plus it’s definite a perk that all you have to do is show up—no major prep or equipment needed.
“Ultimately I love what improv gives to people, whether it’s gained confidence in public speaking, a sense that you can make something out of whatever is put in front of you, or just a few laughs and a good time,” Saunders adds. “It’s a really joyful art form overall. I’ve found the things I learn onstage have seeped positively into my day-to-day life.”
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