by JANIS KIRSHNER

For 13 years running there have been award-winning laughs, dynamic character portrayals and pop-culture parodies on stage downtown. As plays come and go, the On the Spot Improv Troupe remains a stand-up institution in Montreal, all the while managing to keep things original.

If you've never seen On the Spot, you're in for a treat. If you haven't seen them in awhile, you'll notice a change in the way they structure their evenings. The seven-man group used to play a lot more of the classic improv games associated with the genre than they do now, preferring to take inspiration from audience offerings. A player, for example, might ask for a crowd member to call out a genre of the performing arts - from opera to film noir to Westerns - after which the group throws back the right tone. I've seen the Spotters rattle off a quick iambic pentameter after a spectator incorrectly thought he could stump them by shouting, "Shakespeare." Things get even more interactive, and more unpredictable, when the group has audience members take the stage and assume a role.

On the Spot's diligent work has led them to festivals from major league to fringe spanning several continents, and has garnered them a slew of prizes. This includes winning the World Improv Championships, the Just for Laughs Improv Tournament and the U.K. International Theatre Sports Tournament.

All the accolades make you wonder where the group's chemistry comes from. According to Australian-born leader Simon Peacock, the troupe's make-up is a balance of people who know how to complement each other's strengths. Founding members Robert Higden, Brian Wrench and Terence Bowman are joined by long-time members Scott Faulconbridge, Ryan Kennedy and Pierre Boudreau, with John Moore appearing "when he can." All the actors have other acting experience as well, bringing a special quality to the mix - from musicality to political acidity to developed clowning skills.

It's always remarkable how the On the Spot group can turn what starts as an out-of-left-field, unfunny audience suggestion into a sharp sketch. In speaking to Peacock, I was curious to know what it takes for things not to work. After all these years together and 3,000 shows under their belt, "we can always salvage something," he says. Pressed however, Peacock did give some examples of what can lead to a letdown. "We try to avoid it," he explains, "but the audience can go into offensive areas, and we do have to take their suggestions. Another difficult situation is if the suggestion itself is really funny. In this case the expectations are so high it's really hard to top. A good example is being asked to do a parody of The Simpsons. How can you possibly make that funnier than the real thing?"

For those interested in the elusive art of improv, Pierre Boudreau teaches a class at ASM Performing Arts (868-9111). The course will end with a performance, opening for On the Spot, at the Comedyworks. Also, keep your ear to the ground for the group's 13th anniversary celebration at the Fringe.

The On the Spot Improv Troupe can be found at Comedyworks (1238 Bishop) every night except Sunday and Monday, 398-9661 for full schedule

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