The BIG HOO HAA

‘The Big HOO HAA’s 10^th Birthday’ was held at His Majesty’s Theatre, Hay Street, Perth on Friday 27^th July at 8.30 pm. 800 guests paid a bargain price to attend this gala occasion. This 150-minute extravaganza of mirth was presented by some of Perth’s leading improvisation comedians.

10 years ago, ‘The Big Hoo Haa’ started life in The Fremantle Hotel, before moving to Lazy Susan’s Comedy Den at The Brisbane in Northbridge. The group that developed the idea included Sam Longley, Damon Lockwood and Glen Hall. Jimmy James Eaton is now spreading the gospel on the East Coast, whilst well-known names like Claire Hooper and Tim Minchin have gone on to regular TV appearances.

         The stage is a Greek amphitheatre with a night sky. A circle of stone columns and a Greek statue, in the style of David, enhanced the ancient atmosphere. To a massive cheer, the multitude of enthusiastic followers greeted the master of ceremonies, General Samus Longleyus. His toga flowed and his laurel leaf headdress quivered as he marched to the front of the stage and welcomed everyone to a special performance of THE BIG HOO HAA. The last phrase being repeated loudly by the excited audience.

For the night, there were five teams each of two players:-
     Tegan Mulvany and Chris Isaacs
     Libby Klysz and Tim Watts
     Kerry O'Sullivan and Mike Djukic
     Andrea Gibbs and Sean Walsh
     Damon Lockwood and Ben Sutton

          After getting a topic shouted from the audience, the teams had to sing, mime or chat without mentioning certain letters. The performers changed accents on demand. One line jokes flowed. The situations became more bizarre as the audience gave suggestions for improvisation, like ‘Be a Lego man’ or ‘Become a stranded mermaid’; however, nothing was too difficult for this nutty mob.

The performances were backed with lively or dramatic mood music and madcap sound effects from Robert Wood’s inventive, spontaneous accompaniment.

The three Vestal Virgins, Arielle Grey, George Gaylor and Brianna Williams were the living caryatides clapometer, using the Nero thumb method to signify how the scoring was going.

At the end of the evening the archangel, Michael de Grussa, sang a closing number. The enthusiastic audience, many of whom have never experienced a Big HOO HAA, made it clear that they didn’t want to wait another 10 years before the next anniversary.