Something Like a Drug: An Unauthorized Oral History of Theatresports

Pauline Carey is the author of Magic and What’s in a Name?

The first public theatresports match took place at Calgary’s Loose
Moose Theatre in 1978. The competitive improvisation game that is now
played around the world was the inspiration of Keith Johnstone, who
teaches improvisation at the University of Calgary.

Theatresports has proved to be a controversial entertainment. Some
actors are turned off by the competitive aspects of the game, others by
the constant pressure to be inventive. There’s no denying its
influence on theatre, though. Members of the Kids in the Hall and the
Frantics honed their skills in theatresports, and companies that use the
game’s techniques (whose rules vary to a considerable degree) can be
found in numerous countries, from Australia to Zimbabwe.

Consisting of interviews with theatresports people, this book, though
at times repetitive and even incoherent (just like an improv), provides
an interesting look at an unusual and little-known art form.