‘Battle of WITS!’ – an improvised comedy battle of sharp minds and rubber faces, where scenes, stories and songs are made up on the spot and YOU decide the winner!
7pm, 7th – 10th July 2004, Gryphon Theatre, Ghuznee St.
Gorilla, 2004
The director’s cut for improv fans that want more!
Gorilla is the heavyweight improvised comedy show that is bigger than King Kong! Devised by international improvising legend, Keith Johnstone, Gorilla features WIT’s leading improvisers directing scenes without a script. The winning director each night gets to take home the ultimate prize – the troupe’s resident Gorilla! You be the judge – do they deserve a banana or a lemon? It’s monkey business with zest and a peel… Continue reading
Secret Origin of Improv, 2004
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.
Keith Johnstone in Wellington
In June 2004, WIT hosted a 5-day masterclass by the world’s greatest authority on improvisation, Keith Johnstone, in Wellington. Bringing together twenty improvisers from around the country, the masterclass was the greatest event in the national improv calendar in 2004. Keith appeared on stage for the first time in New Zealand on Sunday 27th June in ‘The Secret Origin of Improv’. With Keith directing, the night showcased his approach to improv and the talents of the masterclass students. While he was in Wellington, Keith also delivered training for the New Zealand School of Drama, WIT’s Tuesday, and WIT’s militant youth wing, Joe Improv.
Battle of WITs, Fringe Festival 2004
An 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.
Improv Divas in Diva Fever, 2004
From a BATS Theatre press release, 14 January 2004
Diva Fever! Season: Thursday 15 – Saturday 17 January Time: 8pm Tickets: $15 waged $10 concession
New Zealand’s all-female improvisation act the Improv Divas is back! The Improv Divas’ latest improvised comedy show Diva Fever! premieres at BATS on Thursday.
Micetro, July 2003
WIT, just before it formally incorporated in August 2003.
The core players came together 2002-2003, and performed a Micetro that won “Best Comedy” in the 2003 Fringe Festival.
Micetro, May 2003
WIT, before it had formally taken on the name.
Micetro, May 2003
WIT, just before it took on the name