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WIT show posters

New Zealand Improv Festival, 2008

flyer_2008improvfestivalThe first New Zealand Improv Festival 2008 ran 27-29 November at BATS Theatre, and featured performances from Wellington, Auckland, and Christchurch troupes.

Producer: Merrilee McCoy
Artistic Director: Derek Flores

PRESS RELEASE 19 November 2008

New Zealand’s most playful minds spring forth from Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland – together at last to present an action packed, hilarious symphony of improvised theatre – for three nights only!

For the first time the country’s top improvisation companies come together to expose Wellington to a plethora of improvised comedy at its funniest and most daring.Each night two different companies take to the stage to entertain. In the grand finale on Saturday – the teams join forces, mix and fight it out in a ‘Festival All-Stars’ extravaganza – showcasing the best players from around the country.

JESTERS: “Terrific… One of the BEST troupes I’ve come across”
– Nancy Cartwright (voice of Bart Simpson)

IMPROVISORS: “This team is nothing short of phenomenal….” – Theatreview

WIT: “…formidable and funny” – Theatreview

Join us at BATS Theatre for a blooming great festival of moment-to-moment hilarity, a festival of spontaneous thought, high wire danger – The New Zealand Improv Festival!

Schedule:
27 Nov: WIT (Wgtn) perform LOVE POSSIBLY and The Improvisors (Wgtn) perform IMPROV THE SECONDARY SCHOOL MUSICAL
28 Nov: Court Jesters (Chch) perform ONCE (AND ONLY) UPON A TIME and The ConArtists (Akld) perform AUSTIN FOUND
29 Nov: All Stars Improv Spectacular!

What is Improvisation? Improv brings ordinary people into the theatre to enjoy stories spontaneously created from audience suggestions. For the players, improvisation provides a platform to explore performance and the narrative form. Most of all, it’s fun for everyone involved. Popularised by television shows like ‘Who’s Line Is It Anyway?’, improvisational theatre continues to evolve and entertain.

The New Zealand Improv Festival now has its very own website

WIT show posters

Catch 23, 2008

improv poster

Catch 23 bought various Wellington improv groups together in “Wellington’s friendliest team on team on team improv cage death match”.

Direct from the dirty underground streets of North America comes the newest team on team… on team improv comedy cage match.

 

Watch as teams from around Wellington fight in this bloody battle royale of improv mayhem to claim the title and defend their crown week after week.

Saturdays 19 April to 31st May
Wellington Performing Arts Centre

Featuring Wellington Improvisation Troupe, The Improvisors, Vic Uni Theatresports, Funk Rabbit..

catch 23.

 

WIT show posters

Battle of WITs, Fringe 2007

fringe2007whiteicon The 11-strong cast will risk life and limb to act out scenes totally made up on the spot. They’ll attempt to outwit, outplay and outlast the other improvisers. You decide which scene wins, who receives immunity and who finally becomes Battle Of Wits champion!

February – March 2007, at Newtown Community Centre, Tararua Tramping Club, St Johns Hall, Karori, Linden Community Hall, Linden.

Love Possibly, May 2005


lov_Cover-338wFind true love at the International Comedy Festival…or not…

8pm, Tue 10 – Sat 14 May 2005

Not just another romantic comedy! ‘lovepossibly’ is a totally improvised ‘chick flick’ where the audience will call the shots.

“Love and long-form improvisation are high-stakes games for consenting adults only. Over the course of one hour, six of Wellington’s best improvisers are going to attempt to find true love without a script.” explains Improv Diva Nicola Hill. “There could well be broken hearts.”

lovepossibly is the first improv RomCom in the country. “We were inspired by movies like ‘Four Flops and a Turkey’, ‘Nothing Hill’ and ‘Bridget’s Dairy Intolerance’” says Hill, “But this show will appeal to all improv lovers. It represents a rare opportunity to see a long-form improv comedy show in New Zealand.”

The show is being brought to the stage by The Improv Divas, New Zealand’s first all-female improvisation act (“highly inventive”– National Business Review). Featuring Clare Kerrison, Danielle Hodgson, Kirstin Price, Nicola Hill, Barry Miskimmin, Nigel Chin, Paul Sullivan and Simon Smith.

PG Adult Themes, BATS Theatre

The Improv Factor, 2005

tif0502_poster-medPart Theartre….Part- Gameshow…Part Human…It is….. The Improv Factor :The Improvised tribute to TV Gameshows!

7pm, 22-26 February.

The brand new improvised gameshow spectacular which mixesFail of the Century with the Weakest Link. Teams are pitted against each other night after night, in pulse-racing theatrical challenges set by the host of the show. Take a ride on our wheel of fortune where the contestant’s success means points on the board (Miss Ford?), and failure means jeaopardy where players must perform a “Forfeit”(which can be really nasty!). Songs, scenes and stunts performed live before your very eyes. Come on down and have your say, as you determine which team goes forward to the grand final where one team will show that they have….THE IMPROV FACTOR

Where: McKenzie Theatre, Capital E, Civic Square.

WIT show posters

Secret Origin of Improv, 2004

Secret Origin of Improv

In June 2004, WIT hosted a 5-day masterclass by the great Keith Johnstone, bringing together twenty improvisers from around the country.  With Keith directing, a show was staged on the night of the 27th of June, showcasing his approach to improv and the talents of the masterclass students.

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Battle of WITs, Fringe Festival 2004

BOW flyerAn epic clash of comedians where YOU decide the winner!
Wed 18th – Sun 22nd February
Battle of WITs is the all-new improvised comedy show from the Wellington Improvisation Troupe (WIT).

“‘Battle of WITs!’ will unleash comedy carnage on a scale never before seen in the capital! Well. at least not since our award-winning ‘micetro’ show in 2003.” says WIT’s co-creative director Julian Wilson, “Nine improvisers start the show, only one finishes. Blood will be spilt. Which is a shame because it’s really hard to get the stains out of my jumper.”

Scenes, songs and stories are made up on the spot by Wellington’s leading improvisers and gutsy newcomers alike, armed only with their wits! Split randomly into teams throughout the night, players must work together in order to sway the audience, whose vote, after each round, determines who gets to live on… or fall on the sword of death!

“The showdown in the final round has been known in the past to cause more than it’s fair share of heart failure amongst our audience”, explains Wilson.

Never…will so many…die laughing…at so little.