Moss Meunier
Want to celebrate the humble eel by chanting in tandem with a room full of people drunk on laughter? In this mad, experimental improv show, it seems anything can happen, and Ben Volchok is masterful in his ability to connect ideas and people together in a shared space of spontaneous creation. His command over the room is uncanny, and his infectious energy draws everyone into the bizarre world he creates.
This show needs no formal introduction. While I’m assured there were plans for it—including a fully prepared PowerPoint presentation—those plans quickly evaporated before the first slide could even appear. What unfolds instead is a departure from traditional improv formats, like the structured Harold or short-form games. In fact, we are not given instructions or a formal introduction of any kind, and yet, somehow, it all makes sense. It’s experimental improv at its finest, where the usual conventions are tossed aside, and we’re left with something raw, wild, and exhilarating.
As the audience enters the room, Volchok is already there, eagerly leaning forward in his chair to greet us, exuding an almost childlike enthusiasm. He sits next to a large screen with only the words “Welcome to the Ceremony” displayed on it. That’s about all the context we got, and it was all we needed. From a cough in the audience to a head turned slightly to the side, Volchok treats every sound and gesture as a gift. He masterfully weaves each one into a delightfully absurd piece of improv, making it feel as if everything is unfolding according to some invisible script that only he can see.
Volchok is so in sync with the audience that it’s often unclear who is leading whom. The line between performer and spectator blurs as the room begins to respond to him as one, turning a collection of strangers in seats into a collective entity—albeit, not a cult (at least not officially). It’s this seamless interplay between audience and performer that makes the show feel so unique, like a shared secret that only those in the room can understand.
Volchok’s magic lies in his ability to make you feel like you’re part of something extraordinary. He brings back that singular sensation of childhood play, where we all just accept this bizarre new reality and invent the rules as we go along. His trust in the audience is commendable, and I think a large part of what makes the show go so smoothly. The audience doesn’t feel like it is rebelling or heckling; instead, we are all just joining in the fun and letting loose, free to embrace the absurdity of the ceremony.
Though audience participation is certainly a part of the show, it does not put pressure on anyone to perform. Instead, Volchok creates an environment where you can simply relax, enjoy, and get swept up in the joyful chaos. If you’ve ever wanted to feel part of a community without actually joining a cult, then this bizarre, hilarious oddity of an improvised show will make you feel right at home.
Recommended drink: It’s definitely not a cult. (Kool-aid)
You can catch The Ceremony at Summerhall – Former Womens’ Locker Room from Aug 9-11, 13-18, 20-26 at 21:45. Tickets are available through the EdFringe Box Office.
Jake Mace
Phoebe Bakker
