The Anywhere Theatre Festival is currently running throughout my hometown of Brisbane. Act/React Theatre were doing their new show Kiss of the Vampire Squid as part of it at the Queensland Maritime Museum onboard HMAS Diamantina. HMAS Diamantina was the last World War II era ship to leave RAN service in 1980. The quarterdeck where the show was performed is where high ranking Japanese officers took part in surrender ceremonies of islands in the Pacific. This was such a unique setting for a venue from a group of performers I respect so much that I was really hoping I would get a chance to see the show.
I was even luckier than that, I got a chance to review it for Scenestr magazine attending the night of the final performance. I have seen shows from Act/React before including Love/Hate Actually and earlier this year one of the Convince Me comedy debates. I have also attended two shows by ImproMafia who share a lot of their same talent. In fact Kiss of the Vampire Squid was more similar to the comedy improv performances of Lord of the Thrones and Animated! from ImproMafia than say the thoughtfully prepared brilliance of Love/Hate Actually.
However you define it though, the show was excellent and Karen and I really enjoyed ourselves. You can read more of my thoughts here http://scenestr.com.au/arts/kiss-of-the-vampire-squid-brisbane-review-anywhere-theatre-festival-20180521
I don’t want to belabour the point, some performances are better than others when it comes to improv but I really do marvel at what these people do and how well they consistently pull it off. To have them part of the Brisbane cultural scene means a lot and they travel too so keep your eye out for them appearing in your neck of the woods.
Produced by Eyeball Media Enterprises Scenestr is an online national magazine with local offices around Australia. Celebrating 25 years in 2018 of publishing history they’ve excelled at moving into the digital realm but they remain at heart from the streets. They still publish magazines in print for Perth, Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane every month. If you’re into music they’re a great read but they do cover all of the arts including festivals, stand-up comics, fashion, theatre and film. I feel very fortunate to get to write for them.
-Lloyd Marken
Back to the Drawing Board Productions 
Sounds like a fun night for all, and an iconic location too.
Well done again, Lloyd. You are getting to be an old hand at this stuff.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thanks Pete, I have been very, very lucky and was glad to get along and see this show.
I wonder if they’ve ever done shows at HMS Belfast. I know they’ve held weddings at Fort Scratchley.
I looked up the HMS Belfast site, and it doesn’t seem to. Maybe they should do ‘Pirates of Penzance on HMS Victory? 🙂
That would be awesome! On HMAS Diamantina they do have kids overnight stay there which I think would be a lot of fun but this performance was unusual and I feel very luck to have seen it. Plus you know stuff from Act/React is really good.
This stuff should be explored more with Belfast, it’s only a few metres away from Theatres and Museums and buskers are all around the place.
And down shows at the Fort back in the day.
What a fun, goofy night! Sounds good to me.
It was a lot of fun Cindy.
You inquired recently with regard to my favorite post of yours. I couldn’t answer. I don’t have a favorite post, but I do have a strong appreciation of your writing style. I also enjoy the non-snarky nature of your reviews. Thank you for the good work and the interesting posts.
Well thank you Allen, I really appreciate it. I wonder what you would describe as my writing style? I do try to amuse sometimes with my reviews but with Scenestr in particular we try to be fair. So snark isn’t often employed. On my blog I have a little more freedom. I appreciate your support and am enjoying getting back to Wayne’s Journal when I can.