Canadian Pins (the story)

This is not my story, but I am going to tell it. I take any and all responsibility for details that are errors or exaggerations. I was not there at the embassy and have only played a minor role, but this story needs to be told, this story needs to be blogged, this story will make you believe in Canada. But I am getting ahead of myself, let me fill you in.

In Berlin this year, 2008, there was an International Improv Festival, this also coincided with the 30th anniversary of Loose Moose (a theatre in Canada that was formed by Keith Johnson, the creator of Theatresports). Loose Moose was invited to the Berlin festival for the first time, as was the group I am in (if you are reading this Blog, perhaps you already know that our group is called Crumbs, and we have been to several improv festivals in Berlin and throughout Europe). Loose Moose, while sending three players, also had some "hangers on" in the form of Eric and Al (or maybe i shouldn't name names...?). They both wanted to hangout in Berlin (who wouldn't?) and both had not seen Derek in quite some time (Derek Flores had left Toronto 2 years before for New Zealand). Derek Flores had been to Berlin before (having been on Team Canada during the Impro World Cup of 2006 with myself and Jacob Bannigan), Derek had known Al from Loose Moose and Toronto's Second City (it was also going to be Al's 44th birthday and that was a main motivator for him to go to Berlin) Derek had also toured for years with Eric (as the Three Canadians, doing street improv that was arguable the peak of street improv in the world, it was also when Crumbs had first met those guys).

Anyways, Loose Moose were performing shows in Berlin and thought that it would be nice to give people Canada Pins. So, they went down to the Canadian embassy (we haven't even been there, and we have been to Berlin at least 10 times). They were "metal detected" (perhaps not a proper verb, but it works) and then took there three steps to the front desk. Behind the desk is an important figure in this story, behind that desk was a man named Markus. Markus is German and Markus is an intern, Markus is also a man with some issues.

After explaining the story to Markus that they were a Canadian Improv Group here in Berlin doing some shows and their desire to hand out pins to the hundreds and hundreds of audience members, Markus gave them one pin. This was obviously a language issue. Re-explanations happened and all was better now. Markus pulled out a big bag of Canada pins, and then counted out 20 pins. Now the folks at Loose Moose knew that 20 would not do, but were tired and satisfied for the moment. They took their pins and called it a day. of course the 20 pins disappeared faster than any German intern could count them, so they decided to return the next day and get more pins.

This time Markus was more annoyed (this was of course after enduring the "metal detectoring" (okay now I am pushing it with that one). They explained how the theatre holds hundreds of people and that they needed more pins and that maybe they could have one of the big bags. This was simply not going to happen. They asked if they could speak to a Canadian, Markus told them that they could not. Now, I was not there, I don't know exactly how high the tempers flared (if at all) I don't know what words were tossed around. All I do know is that Markus reluctantly counted out 30 pins this time.

We all know that those pins did not last long either. So the plan was drawn out to return again to the embassy, but this time with a weapon often used in the world of politics... information. Internet is a wonderful tool when used correctly. And a quick Google here, a couple of well placed key strokes there and there was the name of the Canadian Consulate (spelling?) in Berlin. Armed and ready, Loose Moose entered the embassy for the third time (right here I need to mention again that here they are entering the embassy for the third time and we haven't even seen the outside of the building). This tie Markus was not at his post and they used the opportunity to talk to a Canadian citizen right away, they quickly dropped the name they entered with and after a quick phone call upstairs they found out that she was far to busy in meetings to meet with them. But all hope was not lost, they explained their case and after another phone call to the always busy Canadian consulate (spelling?) they were promised to receive 1000 pins.

Rejoicing was in order, thought here was a small problem. This problem rolled out of the nice Canadian's mouth like Loonies at Timmy Ho's (Canadian Eh!). She would have to call Markus and get him to bring them. They tried to explain that we should involve Markus simply because of the "problems" they had encountered with him recently... but she insisted, mostly because he was the intern in charge of pins.

The actual one sided transcript of the phone call*

Canadian Embassy Worker- "Hi Markus, we have some people here and they would like some Canadian pins."
Canadian Embassy Worker- "Could you bring up a bag of a thousand?"
Canadian Embassy Worker- (pause)
Canadian Embassy Worker- "Helen already said it was okay..."
Canadian Embassy Worker- "Thank you Markus"

Now some improv players from Canada, more specifically Calgary, even more specifically Montreal and Toronto, had the treat of waiting for Markus to deliver the cargo he most definitely did not want to deliver. And as if right on cue, right at the time that would have made the most sense in an improv scene to have an entrance, in trudged Markus. In his arms, a bag containing one thousand pins. On his face, a smile containing no joy (perhaps not even a smile at all). He handed over the bag and disappeared. Canada has won this time.

So, the pins were spread to audiences and people rejoiced. A smaller bag, of about a hundred, was given to Crumbs to spread as well. The pins on their own are really just a piece of metal with an emblem on them, a countries logo. But the story behind the pin brings the most joy.

Some people wonder why Markus was so tight with the pins. They weren't his, not even his country's. What did he care? Was his internship over the moment all the pins were distributed? Was it simply his Germany sensibilities? (Whatever that means) or was it just that Markus was wired in just that right way to not want to have anybody have anything? Nobody will truly know (without deep psychological probing). What we do know, and ask of anyone who hears the story or has received a pin, is this. Please if you are ever in Berlin, go down to the Canadian embassy, ask for Markus and thank him personally for the wonderful pin.


check out Theatre Ste Catherine here

check out Loose Moose here

Graz

GRAZ

Graz is a wonderful city (is it a city or a town?). Every time we are in Graz Lee mentions on stage that it is his favourite city (in Europe or the World?). People think that he is "just saying that" and probably "says that in every city he goes to". Nothing could be further from the truth (actually, plenty of things could be further from the truth, but it doesn't make his statement any less true). Lee White loves Graz. Not that I don't, in fact, I love Graz as well, I just don't boldly claim it to be my #1 (but it is in my top ten).

What does Graz have going for it?

It is a beautiful little city (or biggish town) with enough good restaurants to keep you full. The transit is simple and easy to get around. Everything is close. There is a wonderful mountain to climb right in the middle of town (with the remains of a castle to look at). There is an artificial island in the middle of the river that runs through town. And finally, we have some good friends there (most obviously, Theatre Im Bahnhoff).

An artificial island (pictured in the above picture)

The island was built for the European Cultural Capital "thingy" and is really cool. Now, the city is thinking of getting rid of it (mistake) and I for one am up in arms over this issue. Originally, they were only supposed to have it for one year (the duration of the Cultural Capital "thingy") but then people fell in love with it (understandably) and hopefully it can still be saved (perhaps it is the Winnipeg in me that wants the public to rally around this hopeless cause?). The city already got rid of their famous "elevator to nowhere" which was also built for the Cultural Capital "thingy", the elevator would bring you up to eye level with a statue in town and see the view that it saw (cool). How many other cool art pieces must fall before people realize that they liked them enough to keep them? That goes for all cities, not just Graz.

Theatre Im Bahnhoff create really good work. Weather it is improv (which we like doing with them) or the theatre they put on which is really inspiring. We just really like what they do, and the way they do it. We also have a fellow Canuck in their ranks. Jacob Bannigan defected from the comfort of Edmonton's Rapid Fire Theatre to work with TiB and hasn't looked back (well, maybe has has glanced over his shoulder). What made him defect? Why, the love of a good woman... Trixi and Jacob then fused their love into a little bundle of brains most people know as Lili (but is affectionately known as "the Monster"). Lili will someday rule the world.

In Graz, after having the good fortune of sitting in on a TiB rehearsal, we were all sitting around in their wonderful theatre/complex/headquarters having some drinks and talking about the show and anything else that popped to mind, when there settle a lull in the convo. Within the lull, a new saying/proverb was shared.

"The say that in Russia, any time there is a silent moment in a room, a policeman is born"

(Maybe this is why the Russians will never stop talking?)

Crumbs in Berlin 2008

Oh Berlin,

Berlin again had their infamous International Improv Festival (impro 2008). The festival this year was riddled with controversy, like it is every year. We had, first of all, the yearly bouts of festival diseases (this year we had two! very exciting). Half the players got colds (sinus and throat) half go the flu (one day of throw-ups) and one half got shit for being in a mathematical impossibility and quickly imploded into a cloud of non-existence. Allow me to elaborate on the feats of the Berlin International Improv Festival.

First, the diseases. It is a known fact (known to science at least) that any time a festival is put on, and participants are flown into a city to congregate, there always is a micro-pandemic. The social climate is ripe for virus and bacteria to blossom like the spring flowers of, well, spring. Late night shows followed by early workshops during the day ensure that sleep levels are kept low. Add in the high frequency of red wine, beer and other types of liquid anti-health, and you have a recipe for a festival. True, it would be nice to be able to fully enjoy a city and the festival, be at the top of your game for the workshops and shows, but if health was maintained throughout the duration of the festival, you would surely be creeped out, and a psychological disorder would then replace the physical ills. Science can prove it.

Secondly, let me assure you that the shows were stellar, the diseases barely registered (and the stage is a great temporary cure for whatever ails you). Many improvisers and other performers know that the magic of the stage can subside most if not all symptoms of any known disease. You will exit the stage feeling completely cured only to feel the slow rush of the sick as it retakes lost positions at the front lines of the everlasting health wars. We all worked with Stephen Nachmonovitch who wrote the book "free play" and has had it just recently translated into German (new title "the Toa of creativity"). The workshops were alright, nothing really all that new, we already had most of what he had in our own language already, but like anything, it is up top the student to meet the teacher halfway and pull what is needed at any given time. The shows that we created, inspired by the workshops were hit and miss (i am pretty sure it is safe to say that was the consensus). We would either venture to far into the known habits of our regular long form improv shows, or we would get lost to far down the paths of abstract pretentious art wanks. The moments of the happy medium we fleeting, but beautiful. I do think that it is important to shake from the safety of what we know and take risks, we just have to remember that the audience must remain engaged, and jeez, we have to have fun doing it.

Thirdly, I would like to share two disaster stories with you. The first involves Bruno (from France) the other involves the Bright Blue Gorillas (from LA). I am sorry, but i must share these stories.

Bruno:
When Bruno left the Festival (he had to leave early for other gigs) he left with disaster in his wake. He was sick during the day of his departure but got healthy enough to perform in the show that night. After the show he started to feel unwell again, but was putting on a good face. It was time for everyone to say goodbye to Bruno, everyone raised a glass for him. he turned around and almost on cue (with impeccable comedic timing) collapsed to the floor. The comedic timing was so perfect in fact, that nobody flinched, in fact, everyone cheered and laughed. He didn't budge, Bruno just lied there motionless. People started to chant "Bruno is Dead!". He still did not move. Then someone noticed the blood...
After some calls to the ambulance, a lot of blood and a broken nose, the party just never got back to the same level. Bruno ended up okay, got back home to France. But, I will never forget, that even in his daze of sickness and exhaustion, his body and being still had the comedic timing so strong it over took everything else, and was even a detriment to his physical well being. Comedy wins.

Bright Blue Gorillas:
These are two hippies from LA who are street performers. They belong on the street and not in an Improv Festival. they even did their "hat pitch" live onstage (which i wasn't the only one to think was in poor taste). The show was riddled with cliches (and not in a good way), the show was also not riddled with irony (and not in a good way). Some people enjoyed the show, and good on them, there is now accounting for taste, and who am I to say what is good and what is bad. What I can say is that I did not like their flavour, and my reflex was to spit them out as soon as they were in my mouth (not a nice image, I am sorry). Check them out if you dare (I have given you fair warning).

Fourthly, I would like to end this post with good news. This good news is about the success of one Tyler Sneesby (aka Dj Hunnicutt). He won over hearts and minds. Hearts with his warm heart and charm. Mind with his deaf defying dj skills and ability to score improvised theatre in a way that nobody thought possible. It turns out that we (crumbs) like him too and already miss him on our travels. It looks like he will be coming with us on more touring adventures (with a little luck that is).

Stay tuned (can you say tuned on a Blog?) for the next post on this exciting tour (yes, very exciting)...