Do you love the circus? Did you die from laughter watching The Three Stooges or The Marx Brothers? Canadian tag-team duo 2-MAN NO-SHOW has performed high stakes, highly physical improv across North America for a decade, and has become one of Canada’s top comedy acts.
We sat down with Isaac Kessler, one half of 2-MAN NO-SHOW, to learn more about his adventures with comedy partner Ken Hall and what they’re looking forward to most at the 11th Annual Sarasota Improv Festival.
You have TWO chances to see 2-MAN NO-SHOW at the 11th Annual Sarasota Improv Festival: FRIDAY, JULY 12 at 8PM and SATURDAY, JULY 13 at 6PM.
Click HERE to buy your Festival passes and tickets!
How long has your group been around?
This July will actually be the official TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY FOR 2-MAN NO-SHOW! We debuted our first-ever show together in the Toronto Fringe in July 2009.
Ken and I met in 2006. We were in the same Second City Conservatory class, and actually never did a scene together during that 18 month process.
What is your troupe best at/known for?
We perform our own unique brand of ClownProv.
What is it exactly? Good question… it’s hard to say.
We’ve combined our love of improv with Clown, Bouffon, Mask Work, and physical theatre to create our own performance style. There’s no fourth wall in our performances. It’s interactive and hyper-physical.
What are the top 3 things people should know about your group before coming to see you?
- You will be a part of our show in some way, shape, or form, and we will most definitely perform from within audience at some point. Who knows, it might even be next to you!
- We’re hardcore from Canada, though Isaac lives in Los Angeles right now. GO RAPTORS!!!!
- Always feel free to hoot or holler during our show! We LOVE audience interaction…and we love you, sweet audience ❤
This is your group’s first time at the Sarasota Improv Festival. What are some favorite memories of past performances you’ve done?
We’ve been to the Detroit Improv Festival more than any other. One year, we had the suggestion of M.C. Escher and performed a normal scene, but upside down.
Recently in Ottawa, Isaac set up 6 chairs in a pile and jumped into them because, duh, it was their bunk bed.
In Philly, we had to go to the attic of the theatre, so Isaac ran outside and then in through the back, while Ken made the audience a collection of statues, and because of the thunderstorm outside, Isaac re-entered totally soaked for no reason.
Why should someone come to this year’s 11th Annual Sarasota Improv Festival?
Because improv is the best and this festival has some of the best acts from all over the world!
Can you describe your favorite improv scene that you’ve ever done in 11 words?
Ken slapped Isaac. Isaac unconscious for 15 minutes. Worst dad ever.
Fill in the blank…
The thing you can never forget about improvisers is: Their spirit of/for play.
I love Sarasota audiences even more than I love: Chinese food on Christmas Eve.
I have no idea what will happen at the 11th Annual Sarasota Improv Fest, but I do know for sure that: it’s gonna get sweaty.
You have TWO chances to see 2-MAN NO-SHOW at the 11th Annual Sarasota Improv Festival: FRIDAY, JULY 12 at 8PM and SATURDAY, JULY 13 at 6PM.
Click HERE to buy your Festival tickets before they’re gone!
FST Stage Directions 