Irkutsk State University’s KVN teams closed out 2015 with two evenings of merriment, holding quarterfinal competitions on Friday, December 18th and Saturday, December 19th. Teams showcased a lot of humor specific to the Irkutsk region, from “Buryat bobsleds” (two guys on a horse) to the recent gubernatorial elections. One hundred rubles ($1.42) buys better comedy than can be found on most cable shows. Definitely better than late-night T.V. And, at any price, the best way to spend a Saturday night.
At least six hundred people felt the same, as we all squeezed into Irkutsk’s central theater for the performances. Many in the audience Saturday night had been on stage Friday, relaxing and assessing their competition in the semi-finals. There were fellow-students, family members, and people from other KVN leagues in the city there, too. Comments overheard included, “Wonderful!” “That’s funny!” and “Yes!” All in the midst of laughter, of course.
Unlike much traditional sketch comedy, KVN offers instant gratification. Whether in improv sections, joke battles, or “miniatures,” (very short skits), punchlines get delivered fast. One of my favorite miniatures of the night featured a DJ moonlighting as a bus driver. When people ask to get off he cranks the music, saying, “Woo! Yeah! I can’t hear you! Hands up, hands up!” Some people love a stage. And some of Irkutsk’s most talented players never fail to surprise and delight.
Thank you, Irkutsk, for a wonderful four months of KVN!