"A master ballroom dancer can make an untrained partner look wonderful. With the same grace, Matt Holmes guides an audience member through an improv performance as his partner in the delightful 'Matt&'.
Holmes' good nature and skill make the show fun for the audience member and a joy to watch."- Jill Bernard,
Director of Education at HUGE Theater in Minneapolis and author of "Jill Bernard's Small Cute Book of Improv"
AV Club Philadelphia Pick for Best of Comedy Month
Interactive Apple Podcast
The Interactive Apple, September 3, 2011
Arts & Culture Pick: Duofest
Philadelphia Weekly | June 1, 2011
"Must-See"
Agenda Pick: Duofest
CityPaper | September 30, 2010
"...including local Matt Holmes' double-death-defying M@& (Friday, 10:02 p.m.), which pairs Holmes and an audience member picked at random."
Fringe Festival Review
CityPaper.net/Fringe | September 16, 2010
"Holmes is skilled and funny enough to make his second, third, and fourth ideas work when his first is jerked from beneath him."
Sometimes Things Are Funnier in Twos
PhillyImprov.com | September 10, 2010
"Matt is the only person I know with the balls and ability to do it alone."
Improv 1-on-1
Philly Fringe Blog | August 30, 2010
"Comedy has taken on a bigger role at Philly Fringe in the past two years. For the 2010 Fringe, Matt Holmes offers something unique in the genre: one-on-one improv with a random audience volunteer."
Baltimore Improv Festival offers shows, workshops
Baltimore Sun | August 12, 2010
Experimentation is never-ending in the improvisational world, and this year's festival has plenty of examples.
One comes from Philadelphia-based Matt Holmes. Billed as m@& -pronounced "Matt and," of course- this improv comedy relies on the willingness of strangers.
"It's pretty unique even in a unique art form," Holmes says. "It's just me and a member of the audience, just winging it. I start by asking if there is anyone new to improv, maybe someone dragged there by a friend. I ask the first person who raises his hand to join me." Holmes and most of the performers at the festival will be doing long-form improv, running with a concept for 20 minutes, a half-hour, maybe more.
Improv Comedy Starring You - M@& Performs at the Shubin
CultureMob | June 18, 2010
"The show is a great example of fearless performing and making your fellow performer look like a genius."
Comedian Profile: Matt Holmes
PhillyImprov.com | June 7, 2010
Comedy Improv from (Possibly) You
Philly2Philly | March 26, 2010
"one the funniest guys in the improv biz" "a don't-miss show"
Wanna Laugh?
Phillyist | June 4, 2009
"Matt Holmes defends his CAGEMATCH title..."
5 Questions with Matt Holmes
Metro | May 7, 2009
Monica Weymouth
Philly Improv Theater has quite the busy weekend lined up. In addition to self-proclaimed psychotherapist Dr. Lisa Levy stopping by, there are cagematch competitions, shows inspired by cubicle life, and both long- and short-form antics. We caught up with Rare Bird Show's Matt Holmes, who is performing tonight with his fearless side project, m@& (pronounced "Matt and").
A random audience member stars with you in m@&. Anyone can do this?
Well, we'll see. Hopefully it'll be a challenge that provides a good product.
Anyone you're afraid to get in the cage with?
There are a lot of great groups in Philly now, but that's good - it keeps you wanting to be better and on top of the heap.
From the Sidelines: 5 Questions with Matt Holmes
PhillyImprov.com | January 22, 2009