Bond on the spot: improv with license to kill

You can associate a number of things with the James Bond brand: martinis, fast cars, neat gadgets, sultry yet tough babes, and scheming, maniacal baddies with dastardly plans. Oh, and improvised comedy.
No? Improv doesn’t really fit in there with your idea of James Bond?
Well, check out Montreal’s On the Spot improv comedy troupe’s homage to this secret agent, and that “bond” might be forever forged in your mind.
In light of the recent and aptly-named Bond film Quantum of Solace, On the Spot brings “Spotopussy,” a sophisticated evening of 007-inspired short-form improv skits. On Tuesday, actors will perform skits and improv games inspired by Bond lore and audience suggestions. You might see Bond in a different genre, like a Western or romantic comedy.
This event rides on the coattails of another On the Spot theme night, their American election coverage on Nov. 4. The audience was kept informed with regular election coverage updates between skits, followed by a smattering of ad-libbed jokes.
Topical shows like the election coverage might seem like the way of the future for the regularly-performing and venerable improv group by giving them them a sense of timeliness and importance.
“When you’re doing an improv show every single week, you need a hook to catch people,” added Bowman. With the hubbub over the popular Quantum, a Bond homage might be just the thing to pull audience members in from the cold.
“Spotopussy” isn’t a completely new idea for the troupe. Way back in the late 90’s, On the Spot put on long-form spoofs of Bond movies, a different film each week with a different title.
And where did the title come from for Tuesday’s show? Well, it’s pretty hard to spoof a title like Quantum of Solace. It already seems like a joke in and of itself. So, “Spotopussy” it is.
“Spotopussy,” an evening of James Bond improv comedy with On the Spot Improv, begins at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1 at the Comedyworks, 1238 Bishop. $5 for students, $7 regular.

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