Mamma Mia, here we Mo again.

Marketed as a direct sequel to last year’s hit show, Ms. Christmas Bachelorette, PopRox is back with Mr. Halloween Bachelor, a version that’s spookier, sexier, and heart-pounding-er. Frankenstein is in the single’s chair this time, and his suitors are no less insane. It’s a whole season of The Bachelor rolled into one night of hilarious improv theatre.

The overall structure is similar to last year’s. We are introduced to the titular Bachelor, who describes the kind of person they might be looking for (someone sexy and knitting), and the eligible suitors join him on-stage in a series of challenges that bring out the best (and worst) of them. One by one, the suitors are eliminated and the audience is always shocked at the decisions. It makes for compelling television, despite being made up on the spot before our very eyes.

The set is absolutely beautiful. A giant spider web covers the stage right entrance, and gravestones and bones pepper the rest of the set. There’s a constant mist and spooky lighting that set the mood, fully immersing the audience in the vibe. This level of production should be what all improv shows strive for. It demonstrates a professionalism that’s so hard to get right.

Leading the show is our MC, Satan, played by Dylan Hutton. He’s a cheeky, shirtless delight, doing everything he can to put the ‘imp’ in gimp. He’s in total control of the show the entire time, and keeps it moving along with expert pace. There’s never a lull in the energy, mostly due to his tight editing and sharp vibe for timing. He’s joined by Lia Kelly playing the Phantom, who’s an expert on the keys as she always is. Her masteries of the ivories is on full display tonight.

The first suitor is Mummy, played by Nina Hogg. Her squealy voice completely sells her character as a contemptuous queen who hates that nothing seems to be going her way. She, as always, puts her whole self out there and the audience can’t take their eyes off her. In contrast is a much more subdued Edward Cullen, played by Austin Harrison. His dampened demeanour is designed to make his fellow players look insane by comparison, and he plays the supporting role extremely well, while peppering lashes of wordplay that the audience applauds at every pun.

Next is Jed Davies as a freshly imported Dracula looking for another Elisabeta. From the second he walks on stage, Davies is unleashing a full tank of charisma. His commitment to an authentic Dracula performance has the audience dying of laughter, garnishing the most audience support before his sudden elimination. He’s followed by Wilma, who Millie Osborne plays perfectly. She strikes the perfect balance between wild and romantic in her efforts to woo Frankenstein, and ends up a deserved winner.

Lesa MacLeod-Whiting rounds out the suitors as Aragog, a giant spider from the Forbidden Forest, wherever that is. She makes the most of her comedically mysterious nature and doesn’t break for a second. There are so few people who can do what MacLeod-Whiting does with a straight face, and her pure commitment is a joy to watch. Last but not last in the cast is Mo Munn in her second Halloween show of the season. How she maintains her energy, I’ll never know. She brings a stalwart presence to the show and delights in the absurdity of the suitors’ advances on her, responding perfectly to their manic offers. At times, you forget it’s improv because she’s just so quick with the comebacks.

PopRox have once again nailed their own formula. They’ve been a consistent staple of the Wellington improv scene this year and this is exactly why. PopRox takes their improv seriously, determined to elevate it to the level at which a general audience reveres traditional theatre. Even when they’re branching out from their regular programming, nothing feels like a throwaway gag. They nail atmosphere, theatricality, and most importantly, improvised comedy. This is the standard. This is one of the few shows that’s holding improv up in this city.

And they’re killing it.

Disclosure: As a somewhat active member of the Wellington performing arts community, I may be quite familiar with a number of the performers in this show. Having said that, I am not a liar, and there is zero bias in my reviews, shut up.

Also, tickets were provided to me for free by the production. Literally changes nothing, though.