It Takes Two
Two-person scenes are the building blocks of great improv shows, especially two-person ones. In The Homunculus, with my twoprov castmate Tim Grewcock, we’ve performed around the world over the last decade. Here’s some tips we’ve picked up along the way:
COMMITMENT
To keep engaged watching the same two performers, we have to care about the characters they’re playing. Twoprov shows reward improvisers who commit emotionally to their characters, over game-based play. Flippancy makes things harder. You’ll need to convincingly play multiple characters, sometimes in the same scene (be careful, it’s less impressive and more confusing than it feels). Direct your attention to your scene partner and respond honestly. Make each other look good by investing fully in what you’re doing (just good improv practice, right?).
VARIETY AND SIMPLICITY
Variety is hard-wired into bigger-cast shows. In twoprov, we need to create a variety of emotions, tone, speed and physicality ourselves. With no backline to help, it pays to be judicious and proactive with what your show needs, especially edits. Keep things simple. Your scenes will be easier to play, remember and relate to.
You can, and should, be specific. This gives variety scene-to-scene and creates fun details you can use later. See Episode 1 of Middleditch & Schwartz where a mistake about the part of a wedding where someone says something mean is naturally reintroduced later. Keeping your attention up and making strong simple moves makes this easier.
FORMATS
I say this with total love for improv, but audiences do not care what niche format you’re performing. However, having a structure is helpful for you as twoprov performers. Think about how to make your show uniquely yours and play to your strengths.
The Homunculus often perform The Detour (see here), a form we’ve tweaked show-by-show to do more of what works for us. TJ & Dave discovered what their show ‘tends to do’. They are the best in the world, listen to them. Reflect on which of your tendencies help your show, and which get in the way. When are you having the most fun together?
Twoprov risks being a little bit self-indulgent. Time at the top of your show building rapport with your audience and getting them to root for you is well spent.
REHEARSING
Duo rehearsals can be difficult. Hiring spaces and coaches is more expensive, but very useful to keep focus when you’re effectively hanging-out with your improv bestie. Run back-to-back scenes and full shows. Practice exercises that work grounded, emotional and connected skills. Exhaust your go-tos. Hang out afterwards to remember that this is supposed to be fun.
WATCHLIST
There’s many ways to be inspired by other duos. You can do a lot worse than seeking out TJ & Dave’s Trust Us This Is All Made Up or the superb Radiolab on TJ & Dave on how they use small details, Colleen Doyle & Jason Shotts’ Dummy, or Middleditch & Schwartz on Netflix. In the UK, check out Breaking & Entering, the FA’s own Charlie & KBF, and Sophia Broido & Graham Dickson’s Tennessee Williams-inspired show, and shameless self-plug, more Homunculus.
Have fun figuring out what makes you and your twoprov partner tick, the things that spark joy in each other when you improvise, and the things that make your duo special. Truly have each other’s backs!
