When you mix improvised comedy with fresh-faced performers, you really don’t know what you’re going to see. But take it from me – The Staff Meeting was worth the punt.

The goal of improv troupe Dipping Sauce was straightforward – to dip in and out of improvised scenes and scenarios based on suggestions from the crowd. While the advertising material presented quite a different format from what was seen, Dipping Sauce still presented original pieces that were enjoyable to watch.

Here’s how The Staff Meeting unfolded: An audience member brave enough to shout out their workplace was questioned by the cast, so as to best inform their improvised scenes. This included characteristics of co-workers, what the job role entailed, and, of course, any cheeky or scandalous events that occurred. After a few questions, the cast would take turns collaborating and producing mini scenes utilising the information provided by the audience member for inspiration (in a similar vein to the game ‘Scenes from a Hat’ from ‘Whose Line is it Anyway’). This process was repeated with enough different workplaces to finish the 50min set.

The cast members acknowledged that this was their debut, having come all the way from Sydney to test the waters of FRINGE WORLD in Perth. They adapted to the unique space of the Skydeck Bar at Northbridge Brewing Co. and managed to create hilarious scenarios with nothing more than a draped curtain to create their stage background. You could see the trust between the actors and their upbeat energy to create with the bare minimum at their disposal, which was both engaging and entertaining.

Although the blurb didn’t quite match what was presented, this was an excellent debut for Dipping Sauce, and I would hope to see them return to Perth next season, if not sooner.