Photo Booth

Where: Dance Victoria,

2750 Quadra St.

When: Sept. 1, 2, 4

Rating: Four stars (out of five)

Victoria's Dave Morris is a veteran improv artist who's shaped his new show around an unusual premise.

He gets three audience members to think of a dramatic moment in their lives. Then he asks them to strike a photo-booth-style pose reflecting their reaction to this moment. Morris then weaves these poses into a completely improvised play. (He also asks one volunteer for a word or phrase describing their life at that moment, which he employs as the show's theme.)

Morris is a master of his art — believe me, it's worth checking him out. Each night is different, of course. On Monday, his performance was about a war veteran whose army buddy dies in his arms (in fact the vet had to kill him, putting him out of his misery after an injury). The hero, or anti-hero, of this story has a fully developed life: wife, possibly a baby, Christmas and Easter celebrations, etc.

Morris's approach to improv is sophisticated. He's a natural comic easily able to coax laughs. However, not content with achieving just that, he imbues his shows with dramatic elements, too — he wants the audience to experience something beyond a wading-pool-deep yuk-fest. Morris is confident enough to take his time, letting things develop in a rich, multi-faceted manner.

His imagination seems unlimited. Watching Morris was like hearing an experienced jazz musician take an extended solo (this particular show was about 35 minutes, by the way, not the advertised 55). Fringer-goers will find Morris is certainly worth the visit.

achamberlain@timescolonist.com