Snippets from John Smythe's review of our second performance on 18 February 2023
"Local improv group Locomotive have imported a new (to Wellington) show concept from Perth via Melbourne and claimed it as their own: The Big HOO HAA! PŌNEKE. They’ve brought it to NZ Fringe 2023 platform for two outings and plan to make it a regular stop in the improv calendar down the track. We are at the second night."
"As indicated on the boxing-themes banners, The Big HOO HAA! (we are trained to join in the HOO HAA!) sees two teams face off: the valiant Hearts Vs the hungry Bones. Tonight in the red corner, the Hearts are Liz Butler, Maria Williams and Sam Irwin. The Bones, in the Black corner, are Ben Jardine, Dianne Pulham and Gab Raz. And boy are they ready to rumble!
Never fear, despite being competitive, improv is all about agreement and co-operation – although Maria brings her trademark confrontational energy to the match by way of emulating the loudmouths of that appalling so-called sport called boxing. Rest assured no brains are damaged or blood is spilt over the next 100-odd minutes (with interval)...."
"All six improvisers are at the top of their game as their earnest pursuit of meeting the challenges set by themselves, each other and/or the audience inevitably squeeze hilarity from the dramas. Despite the skills they necessarily have in common, individual distinctions emerge: Liz is wickedly inventive; Maria has a broad comedic range; Sam is a quiet purveyor of bon mots; Ben is attentive and mellow; Dianne is a demon for accents and Gab is there for everyone no matter what’s needed – in the second half she will literally put her head on the block."
"All up the vocal enthusiasm of the large crowd of improv enthusiasts attests to the quality of this format and its execution."