Tag Archives: improv

The Wishing Tree, 2012

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20th to 24th November, 2012

Returning to BATS Theatre, The Wishing Tree is New Zealand’s magical season of improvised theatre.

According to an ancient Japanese myth, there is one enchanting night where wishes come true. In honour of this myth, some of New Zealand’s finest improv artists conjure up stories inspired by the wishes of the audience.

Together we explore the unchartered territory of our dreams. Be careful what you wish for…

Created by Rama Nicolas, The Wishing Tree has been performed across Europe, the US and Australia and is presented in New Zealand by WIT. Book now – the last season at BATS sold out!

“The intimacy and ambience was enchanting…” – Theatreview
“…considerable theatrical bravery.” – The Dominion Post
“Elegant and touching…you must go and experience the show for yourself.” – Salient

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Photographer Ali Little

WIT show posters

Young and the Witless VI, 2012

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It is 1982, and Roseneath University is kicking off its 99th year as a elite beacon of academic excellence atop Mt Victoria. Still recovering from a tumultuous year of student protests and the scandalous departure of the previous vice chancellor, the staff and students of Rosey U are looking forward to a fresh start. And with new management, new challenges and new relationships await!

From the players who brought you Love Possibly, Micetro, and CSI Wainui, comes the return of Wellington’s best and only Improvised Soap Opera – The Young and the WITless. Follow the lives of the staff and students of Roseneath University as WIT weaves a tale of drama, melodrama and mischief with nine shows in nine weeks at The Fringe Bar; every episode totally improvised, every twist and turn a surprise.

And while the performers live in a world where cell phones are a dream of the future, the audience are encouraged to participate by live-tweeting the show. Share photos, quotes, and memorable moments with the hashtag #WITlessSoap.

Drawing on both NZ’s soap tradition (Shortland St, Gloss, Palmolive) and WIT’s own improvisation pedigree The Young and the WITless VI will make you laugh, cry, and feel every emotion a poignant stare into the middle distance can muster.

The Young and The WITless VI
Directed by Jennifer O’Sullivan
Featuring: Christine Brooks, Nicola Pauling, Steven Youngblood, Kate Wilson, Lyndon Hood, Barry Miskimmin, Danni Taylor, Matt Hutton, Wiremu Tuhiwai, and Simon Smith

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Photographer: Ali Little

WIT show posters

Last Saloon, 2012

An improvised western

Welcome to the unwritten frontier, where everyone is wild at heart, and every stranger brings a story. WIT’s latest show seeks to evoke the Wild West, exploring character without limits and comedy where no laws apply. Playing with the darker, rougher side to the International Comedy Festival it opens at the venerable BATS Theatre on 15 May 2012 at 6:30pm.

The actors find the comedy in the rich characters and foreboding atmosphere of tension that the Western genre provides. This show will truly be a journey into uncharted, unscripted territory, and the audience is invited along for the ride.

Continue reading →

WIT show posters

Divas and the Beast, 2012

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Divas and the Beast ran as part of the 2012 Fringe

Festival, February 23 – 26 at BATS Theatre, and featured WIT’s Improv Divas.

Theatreview.org described the show as “a good concept well executed”.

Troublesome neighbours? Difficult spouses? Offensive bosses? Never fear! The Improv Divas (NZ’s only all woman improv act) are here with a brand new show that takes on the hassles of modern life and offers purely improvised solutions.

Taking inspiration from the magazine columns & TV style ‘Agony Aunt’ programmes of old, Divas and the Beast serve up performances to both educate and delight the audience.

Let the Improv Divas take on your beast. No problem too big, too small or too taboo.

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The Long Weekend – NZIF 2011

show posterThe Long Weekend is an improvised story which will reveal the truth of the relationships between five old friends as they reunite for a long weekend away from home.

Each night the characters, relationships, and the New Zealand location will be different.
Each night we will find out more about the people onstage than they knew themselves.

Reuniting: Christine Brooks, Brandon Brooks, Nicola Hill, Merrilee McCoy, Paul Sullivan

Date/Time
Date(s) – 13/10/2011
9:30 pm – 10:30 pm

NZIF 2011 at BATS Theatre

There was also a Flint Podcast episode about the show.

WIT show posters

NZ Improv Festival, 2011

logo_NZIFposterOctober 11-15 2011 at Bats Theatre.

Familiar faces included The Court Jesters, The Improvisors and WIT, as well as new groups Up Against Improv, Chicken Legs Theatre, and representatives from Brisbane, Dunedin and Canberra. As well, two of Australia’s best improvisers Rebecca De Unamuno and Jason Geary visited with new and unique shows.

Thanks and cheers to all the people who made it happen … the producer, the musicians, the lighting guy, the players, the ticket takers, the setters-up-of-things, the leaflet hander-outerers, the lovely reviewers, the lovely sponsors, the lovely audiences. And Producer/Artistic director Merrilee!

The New Zealand Improv Festival now has its very own website

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The Young and the Witless V, 2011

Young and the Witless iconThere is an episode by episode summary on the show’s Facebook page.   Back for its fifth season in June and July 2011 Wellington’s best, and only, improvised soap opera turned its overly melodramatic eye to the highly competitive and scandalous world of indoor social netball. Team mates and lovers, friends and coaches, nemesis and referees – all ripe for soft lens over-acting and long dramatic pauses with a swelling musical score.

WIT show posters

WIT Dreamz, 2011

logo Dreams showHop into bed with us!

It’s time to delve beneath the duvet into the subconscious mind of dreams and nightmares.  In WIT Dreamz, Wellington’s finest improvisers will weave the audience’s night-time visions into a web of surreal, hilarious and occasionally spooky stories. Continue reading →

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Wednesdays with WIT, 2008 – 2011

default_clip_image002Between festivals and seasons of shows such as The Young and the Witless WIT began to regularly organise more informal nights at the Blue Note Bar (now the Fringe Bar).  These were collectively promoted under the umbrella of Wednesdays with WIT, with the name shifting to The Improv Lounge in 2012.

Shows in Wednesdays with WIT included many Micetros, Gorillas, House Team shows, The Improv Lab (itself an umbrella for a variety of shows) and more.  Many shows such as The Last Saloon and  Divas and the Beast had their first public outing at a WwW evening before going on to a Fringe or Comedy Festival season.

WwW November 2011
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Young and the Witless 4, June – August 2010

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Lust . . . Betrayal . . . Family
Wellington’s only improvised soap opera returns!

At the Fringe Bar
Wednesdays 2 Jun 2010 to 25 Aug 2010 

Cast included:
Geoff Simmons, Christine Brooks, Simon Smith, Karen Anslow, Jennifer O’Sullivan, Paul Sullivan, Wiremu Tuhiwai

Fresh from knock out seasons of Micetro, Improv Divas, and Gods & Heroes, the Wellington Improv Troupe is back with another titillating season of intrigue, secrets and unrequited lust!

Join the Wakefields, NZ’s #2 retail family as they battle tough economic times, off shore manufacturing, and each other for control of the legacy of great granddad Wakefield.
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Theatreview.org commented that the show attracted “large and exuberant houses who are not disappointed as the improvisers deliver a compelling combination of narrative twists, character based gags and sardonic breakings of the fourth wall”