A 90 minute battle of wit, wisdom, drama, tragedy, frivolity and fun was staged at the Enmore Theatre on 6th May as Theatresport champions from three generations flaunted their impro comedy genius through spoken word, song and dance.

The audience was introduced to the generations through the classic 1980s; Science Fiction on another planet with predictable therapy and child care considerations and the Disney world of Real Estate prices, Spoken Word and HECs debt legacies. The Oldtimers recalled the space race and found happiness, paranoia and lust in their future nursing homes. Middle Children challenged female role models in the air and in poetry not so “fine” delighted in a mad disease “bovine”. Weak jokes from the iBabies heralded the imminent royal wedding.

In mixed generation teams a real-life father and son spent the kids inheritance whilst others suffered workplace restructures and found the year 12 formal delightfully challenging. The evening ended with on all in full cast Broadway musical high note in search of the Fountain of Youth.

There was a representative of each generation among the judges – Lyn Pierse, “a founding mother of Theatresports”, comic actress, Megan Lloyd Johnson and Will Torney, a 2017 year 12 champion. More than three generations in the audience thoroughly enjoyed the hilarity, readily responding to actors, hosts comments and judges decisions.

It was heartening to see so many Oldtimers, had survived the ravages of ageing and who clearly dispelled any notion that they were somehow past it by digging, dancing, singing and even ‘dying’ on stage convincing three judges and many in the audience that they were worthy winners on the night – truly Golden Oldies.

The Middle Child Syndrome team with their long hours, in one piece running out of time, did not deliver as many lines which resonated with the audience or judges as the other teams.

In contrast to the time-troubled middle generation, the iBabies trained in Twitter naturally delivered a 30 second synopsis of the Sinking of the Titanic, gaining them a special bonus from the Hosts of the evening. This brought them into overall second place.

Theatresports Allstars was bravely directed by Jane Simmons and compered with aplomb by hosts Nigel Sutton and Jenny Hope and amazingly accompanied by musical improviser Gep Blake.

Launched in 1986, Theatresports is Australia’s longest-running comedy show. Many a rising star has trodden the show’s boards over the last 32 years. They have included Andrew Denton, Julia Zemiro, Rob Carlton, Adam Spencer, Josh Lawson, Robyn Butler, Andrew O’keefe, Susie Youssef and Jordan Raskopoulos. Past comments include:
“A hugely entertaining evening. Hilarious” – Sydney Arts Guide

The Battle of the Champions celebrated and paid homage to those years, reuniting some legends alongside shining new combatants still at high school.

The show was part of the Sydney Comedy Festival which runs until 20th May.  And it  may have inspired audience members to try their luck by following Impro Australia [Facebook].  Others look forward to the Canteen fundraiser, Celebrity Theatresports which is on at the Enmore Theatre in Newtown at 6pm on Sunday 5 August.