Olde English started as a comedy troupe at my college, and continues to rock out on the internet and NYC to this day (you know, a few years later). I enjoy their antics because they always remind me of Bard, and because, well, they’re also just so darn funny and clever.
A recent example of this is their live show Olde English: Rules!, which was built around the premise that each sketch presented at the show was created by following a strict set of guidelines imposed by one of the group’s members. Example:
I’m going to play a song for you. The sketch must contain at least two minutes of the song I’m going to play, and it must be played at an audible level. The song must be played three separate times. All characters must lip-synch while the song is playing. When the song is not playing, all lights must be off.
These rules coalesce to form Supersonic, which certainly might not be considered a crazy success, but sure does follow those rules good!
In contrast, Adam dictates his own rules to Raizin:
Two mathematical constants are on a bllind date, but one of the them has a chilling secret. And no physical objects may be portrayed in this sketch.
From this, Raizin makes Blind Date, which is far and away one of my favorite sketches.
I was thinking about using this as a springboard to talk about rulesets, and the potential created when constraints are applied, but I think I just managed to say it all, so… favorite sketches!
Newer: Raizin and Adam Live Together, Pokemon Day, The First Date (which is different than Blind Date, so don’t be fooled), and Balloon Bangers.
Older: General Procrastination, Adam’s Orange Stand, Funny Face, and Video Will.
Warning: These have cusses in ’em. Enjoy!