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Hey, this an an archived bit of WIT's website that you have found - just being kept around while some of the old information is transferred across.  Please, go to WIT's main site to find out what shows are on now, to contact us, or find out how to experience some of the playful joy that is improv for your very self.

Past Shows, for those who like to remember . . .

  

Remember . . . WIT DreamzCSI WainuiWitside Story, The Wishing Tree, Micetro, The Young and the Witless IVImprov Divas, Love Possibly The Wishing Tree, Improv Shorts, The Second New Zealand Improv Festival, The Young and the Witless III, WellingSIN City, Gorilla Theatre, Micetro, The First New Zealand Improv FestImprov Angels, Catch 23 and so, so much more.  Page is ordered geologically; scroll down for older shows.

WIT's Christmas Cracker


There was be a whole season of shows at the Gryphon Theatre in December 2012

micetroMicetro 4-7 Dec @ 7pm


Micetro is a raucous evening of spontaneity that mixes beloved improv games, charismatic humility, and audience suggestions to create a unique night of entertainment that will never be seen again. Catch a mix of Wellington's newest improvisors plus WIT's favourite veterans as they face off in this nightly gladiatorial contest!

Duets 4-7 Dec @ 8:30pm Duets


Two improvisors. One stage. No limits.
Each night, three pairs will take to the stage with only each other to rely on, and no limits to where the improv takes them. A different trio of storytelling duets every show

 Puppets vs
                                  peoplePuppets vs People 6-7 Dec, 14 Dec @ 10pm


The ultimate showdown, "Puppets Vs People" is an improvised comedy battle between puppets and humans to prove who is funnier. Scenes are created live on stage using ideas straight from the audience. Join us for WIT's first foray into puppetry - a show that humorously explores what it means to be human.

Not suitable for children, unless your children are already cynical reprobates, inured to bad language and worse behaviour.

Impro Panto 11-12, 14 Dec @ 7pmImpro Panto


Witness the English Christmastime family tradition as you've never seen it before, and never will again! All your favourite pantomime characters – the hero, the Dame, the villain, the talking horse, all in an enchanting setting, but with a twist – it’s all made up on the spot. Warning: contains songs, crossdressing, and a horse.

ApocalimproApocalimpro 11-12, 14 Dec @ 8:30pm


It's 2012. You know what that means: The End. Who would have guessed it would begin right here in small town New Zealand?
The End of the World... a different way every night!

Impro Unwrapped 13 Dec @ 7pmImpro Unwrapped


An international goodwill project that invites audience members to bring along a gift to put under the on-stage Christmas Tree. Gifts are then selected at random, unwrapped and become the inspiration for a Christmas story. At the end of the night, all gifts are re-wrapped and donated to the Wellington City Mission, along with all the ticket proceeds of the show.



Divas and the Beast


divas

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.

February 23 - 26
BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Terrace
Book now!  04 802 4175 or www.bats.co.nz


      
     
NZIF
                        2011NZIF is over.  But oh what a festival the 2011 New Zealand Improv Festival at BATS was!  

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!

yaw

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.

dreamz
Auckland - WIT Dreamz
Hop into bed with WIT and delve beneath the duvet into the subconscious mind of dreams and nightmares! 

When: Wed 18 - Sat 21 May, 7pm
Where: Maidmont Theatre, Musgrove Studio, 8 Alfred St, CBD Auckland
Tickets $20.00 / Conc and groups $18.00 , Bookings:  online or 09 308 2383 (service fees may apply)

micetroAll-Star Micetro

Micetro is Welllington's favourite competitive improv format, and for months there have been hard-fought elimation rounds at the Fringe Bar on Wednesday nights.  In May the distilled best of the best are ready to fight for the supreme Wellington improv crown of Comedy Festival Micetro.
 
When: 7pm  Sundays May 8th, 15th and 22nd
Where: The Fringe Bar, cnr Vivian and Cuba Sts, Wellington
Tickets: Doorsales, $14 / $12 concession

CSI Wainuicsi wainui


A grizzly murder in the Hutt. A killer on the loose. But why now? Why here? Wainui?

The CSI: Wainui team - the best forensic scientists, amateur detectives, and neighbourhood-watch-enthusiasts that the Hutt can muster. But with all the emotional baggage they bring to work- can they catch the culprit?

Wellington Improvisation Troupe were part of the 2011 Comedy Festival with a fresh new improvised comedy about CSI, DNA and the DPB.
 

“Comedy that shoots from the hip”

Battle of WITsbow


Improv WITs strive to outwit and outlast their competitors, until the audience decides which scene wins, who recieves immunity, and who becomes the champion!

The Fringe Bar, Sundays, 20 & 27 February, 6 & 13 March.
7pm, door sales only, Tickets $12 / Concession $12

WITSide Story


WITSide StoryAs part of the 2011 Wellington Fringe Festival, 3 nights of heartfelt stories at BATs Theatre, a journey into the world of musical theatre.

Musical master Robbie Ellis supported a team of skilled improvisers; Christine Brooks, Mark Scott, Jen O'Sullivan, Geoff Simmons and overseas guest, Anne Brashier. These guys and dolls bought to life a new story each night inspired by suggestions from you, the audience.



         .
The Wishing TreeThe Wishing Tree

Following a popular season in 2009, the Wellington Improvisation Troupe (WIT) bought The Wishing Tree to the Garden Club
Tuesday 7th – Saturday 11th December.

Based on a Japanese myth of love, luck and fate, The Wishing Tree has been performed around the world from Belgium to Seattle, inspiring performers and audiences alike.

Director Christine Brooks describes the concept as “a different kind of improv. A lot of Improv shows are a bit of fun, but can end up being pretty disposable, like a comedy version of a one night stand. The Wishing Tree creates improvised theatre that I want to remember in the morning”.

Wishes, supplied anonymously by the audience, are brought to life by the improvisers, providing the inspiration for scenes where the wishes unfold – sometimes for good, sometimes for ill and sometimes just for a laugh.

Starred WIT regulars Christine Brooks, Derek Flores, Ralph McCubbin Howell, Merrilee McCoy, Mark Scott, Simon Smith and Paul Sullivan.


Micetro

The New Zealand Improv Festival 2010

improvfest2010An event so awesome it had its own website

There were rampaging plethori of amazingly fatastic shows at BATS Theatre and The Fringe Bar, which featured New Zealand's most talented improvisors (and some darn fine ones from beyond our shores too).  There was The
Wellington Improvisation Troupe, The Improvisors , The Court Jesters, The Con Artists, Rebecca De Unamuno (Sydney) and Crumbs (Canada)

The New Zealand Improv Festival's third year was bigger, edgier, funnier, and we can't wait until the next one!















The Improv Lab

In September 2010 some strange and some wonderful new formats were trialed at the Fringe Bar - featuring cowboys, dragons, musicals and so many more.  Expect to see some of the shows back for a return season of their own.

Improv Lab

Thank God it's . . . Improv!

tgiiA late night delight from WIT hit BATS Theatre on a near-monthly basis in mid 2010 Every month a different show from WIT's finest performers.

Late night improv - if it's good enough for the Court Jesters in Christchurch, it's good enough for us. That's our new rule.

On WIT:
"Another small miracle of ingenious group creativity." - John Smythe, Theatreview
"Made me laugh a lot" - Laurie Atkinson, Dominion Post


Showtime: 11pm
Venue and Bookings: BATS Theatre


The Young and the Witless IV

yawivFresh from sucessful seasons of Micetro Improv, Gods& Heroes, and Improv Divas, WIT, purveyors of fine improvised comedy since 2004, were proud to offer up another compelling, must see season of spontaneous scandal and improvised intrigue in June, July and August 2010.

NZ's #2 leading retail family, "The Wakefields", are a trusted iconic NZ brand thats been around since before your nana.  Lighting the way home for countless kiwis, Wakefield's department store may have a place in your heart, but at the heart of this family, trouble was brewing.

With our fourth season The Young & The Witless founder Derek Flores wanted to explore "...the complex roots of family and the inherant comedy that lies within the lies."  Each and every week for 3 months a new episode of the unraveling comedy of the Wakefields was spontaneously created by a "...formidable and funny" (theatreview) cast of improvisers.

Relive the glory that was Young and the Witless IV 
through Eclipse Photographic's fine photographs.







Improv Divas May 2010



Improv Divas


In the 2010 Comedy Fesival The Improv Divas were back with NZ's only all-lady improv act ready to rock the capital!

Stories, scenes and songs are made up on the spot with sweetness and sass. From hookers with hearts of gold to grannies who take on super villains, these women bring it all!  Read more about the show and the players.

The Improv Divas Gallery is available to view - thanks to Elipse Photograic.





2010 Comedy Festival Micetro Finals Season!!
 

slide micetroThe wittiest WITs have been determined over 10 weeks of shows, with the best of the best duking it out in the Comedy Festival Micetro finals season.

Micetro is a raucous evening of spontaneity that mixes beloved improv games, charismatic humility, and audience suggestions to create a unique night of entertainment that will never be seen again. Improv is theatrical tight rope walking: armed only with their quick wits, improvisers valiantly struggle to cross the gaping abyss of failure - to everyone's amusement and joy!




Love Possibly

Wednesdays with WIT in March/April 2010 saw a six week season of Love Possibly

From true love, desires, pleasure and heartbreak; Love Possibly is a show sure to fulfil your weekly RomCom needs...   The audience calls the shots, as the cast then draw on inspiration from movies such as ‘Four Flops and a Turkey’, ‘Nothing Hill’ and ‘Bridget’s Dairy Intolerance’; create a completely improvised ‘chick flick’ and attempt to find true love, over the course of one hour. Broken hearts are a certainty…
 
Launched in 2005, Love, Possibly was the first improvised RomCom in the country. WIT players share a love of storytelling. They work together as a team to inspire the audience, crafting stories that are sometimes serious, often hilarious and always totally unpredictable. Featuring your favourite WIT lovers, Love, Possibly appeals to lovers of improv, lovers of love and those who love lovers.
 
"no script, just guts, teamwork and imagination" - Capital Times, Love, Possibly 2005
 
PG. Adult Themes.
 
P.S: There was kissing. Possibly...





Gods & Heroes - February 2010

Gods & Heroes Relocated to Mt Victoria by the UN!   Ancient Greek Pantheon Seen Milling About In Togas;  New Zealand Mortals Baffled By 'New' Mt Olympus

A large angry man, clad only in a toga, was seen hurling thunderbolts at other similarly-clad beings atop the Mt Victoria Lookout last weekend. When stunned Kiwis, visiting one of their more beloved sites around town, asked one of the women what was going on she replied “Zeus is having a hissy fit. Again”. Another large man, clad in a massive lion’s hide, was seen wrestling animatedly with what he claimed was a 9-headed Hydra. It was, in fact, a stuffed kiwi plushie from Kirkcaldie & Stains. 

Gods & Heroes: Improvised Myths is a brand-new improvised show, featuring Wellington Improvisation Troupe's (WIT) most experienced players. The Greek Gods and Heroes you know and love now have a new home, atop Wellington's own Mt Victoria. Witness the creation of new myths and legends as the daily squabbles and dramas of the Gods and Heroes invariably spill over into the world of the Kiwi mortals. 

“Our Gods and Heroes are just like humans – they have the same strengths, the same weaknesses. They bicker and fight just like any family. They reflect our own stories, which is great material for improv”, says Christine Brooks, Director for the show. 

Gods flyer"WIT has built a reputation for character-based improvised theatre that focuses on storytelling, through three seasons of its sold-out improvised soap opera, The Young and the Witless, and Gods and Heroes will build on this," she said. 

WIT's best character improvisers bring you Gods & Heroes: Improvised Myths as part of Fringe 2010

Dates: 9.30pm Saturday February 20th to Wednesday February 24th
Venue: BATS, 1 Kent Terrace
Tickets: $16 Full / $13 Concession / $12 F
ringe Addict
Bookings at BATS Theatre: Phone (04) 802 4175 or email book@bats.co.nz

The Gods are running both a Facebook page, and Fringe Blogs.

 

Improvathon


The 30 hour 2010 Improvathon was so huge it has its own page

 

The Wishing Tree


The
                        Wishing TreeAn enchanting new improv show, The Wishing Tree, was presented at BATS Theatre from 8 - 12 December 2009. Based on a Japanese myth of love, luck and fate, a tree blossoms with genuine wishes as anonymously supplied by the audience.  These true desires become the inspiration for scenes that will transport audiences to a world where their own wishes are brought to life before their eyes.  Sometimes for good, other times for ill, and sometimes just for a laugh.
 
Starring WIT regulars from improvised soap The Young and the Witless, Derek Flores, Simon Smith, Anton van Helden, Paul Sullivan, Christine Brooks and others, The Wishing Tree bought true desires to life in a unique theatre experience.
                                    









 

Improv Shorts


Winter was over so WIT got out its pasty legs on Wednesdays in November 2009 in Improv Shorts!

Improv Shorts

Sometimes serious, often hilarious, always unpredictable... 

The Second New Zealand Improv Festival

The second fantabulous New Zealand Improv Festival happened in October 2009.  All praise to Merrilee and Derek, WIT,  The Improvisors , The Court Jesters , ConArtists , Impro Melbourne  and everyone else who made it fly! 

Relive the wonder in  photos and reviews

NZIF 09

The Young and the Witless III

Young and the Witless
                        Three


For its third season Wellington's best, and only, improvised soap opera was set at a regional Wellington hospital. Seven characters in search of a plot line, struggled with the every day workings of a medical life through melodrama, intrigue, and a bit of over acting.

In a hospital this full of passion and secrets, who can you trust?  When life is on the line, where is the room for heart?

So throbbingly awesome the tale had its own Facebook site, the continuous improvised storyline unfolded during June and July 2009.

 

WellingSIN City WellingSin City

The improvised noir where YOU called the shots


Murder, Revenge, Justice, Improv... explore the mean streets and dark underbelly of WellingSIN CITY. We all have our demons, but how we exorcised them was up to you.
 
Where: The Fringe Bar, Cnr Cuba and Vivian Streets

When: Sundays 10, 17, 24 May 2009

Part of the NZ International Comedy Festival 2009

Gorilla Theatre

 

gorilla

Join the Revolution!

Tired of Spielberg, Lucas, Tarantino, and their capitalist works? Continuing with their hugely successful 'Wednesdays with WIT' at the Fringe Bar (fka Blue Note), the Wellington Improv Troupe now brings the people GORILLA THEATRE
 
With GORILLA , each night five card-carrying, aspiring directors challenge each other in creating & directing improvised scenes, stories, sagas and perhaps a song. 
 
In the great socialist tradition, YOU the people get to decide which director gets adorned as state champion. 
 
Unpredictable, quality improvised comedy, each night. 
Vodka optional. 
  
 
What are people saying about WIT's shows?
 
"Edge-of-your-seat comedy" - TV3 Nightline
"I laughed so hard I couldn't see" - Salient
"Formidable and Funny" - Theatrereview.co.nz

GORILLA THEATRE
8pm
Wednesdays in March
Tix $8, Doors open at 7:30pm


micetro poster

Sunday Improv Jam


For a tasty Sunday evening long form improv treat. Take 1 helping of Wellington improv
comedy talent, add audience suggestions; mix in a theme. Let bake for 60 minutes.
Serve chilled. Comedy that's raw and loose with a minty taste!

Fringe Bar (Cnr Cuba and Vivian St)  8th, 13th and 20th February, 7pm

New Zealand Improv Fest

"New Zealand's most playful minds spring forth in a festival of improvised theatre."

Improvfest

They came from around NZ . . . You came from around the world.
Together, we made the first NZIF a roaring success.

NZIF
                      2008 programme




wedwithwit

Improv Angels:
improvised crime kicking adventure!

Improv Angels

New Zealand’s only all-female improv ensemble, The Improv Divas are back with the adrenaline fuelled classic crime adventure: Improv Angels.
 
With the help of ‘Charlie’ and some key information from the audience, the Divas will take everyone on an hour long improvised journey. It’s a hair-tossing attempt to spontaneously solve the latest mysterious crime wave, save New Zealand ... and maintain meaningful friendships at the same time.

“I laughed so hard I couldn’t see.”
 - Salient, NZ comedy festival 2008

Catch some all-women action! They’ve shown that they can find love and be hilarious in Lovepossibly.  And now they’ve taken on the action genre but it’s still ultimately about relationships. For example: can you still kick-butt with your best friend when she’s sleeping with the super villain? Or is there an ‘I’ in ‘Team’? These are everyday questions that women, and many men, are aching for answers to.
 
Improv Angels continues ‘Wednesdays with WIT’ at the Blue Note Bar, an initiative started by Derek Flores, who will play Charlie for the Improv Angels. Yes, Charlie is a man and they’re okay with that.

You tell them the crime and they’ll show you that women can do anything… with heels on.

Starring: Anna Burns, Christine Brooks, Clare Kerrison, and Merrilee McCoy.

Improv Angels
8pm
Wednesdays 6th, 13th. 20th, 27th August
Blue Note Bar, cnr Vivian and Cuba sts
$8, door sales only


The Young and the Witless 2:
an improvised soap opera!

Wednesdays at 8pm!micetro

Wellington's finest improvised soap opera is back!
 
After selling out at the NZ Fringe, WIT are back with more love triangles, deception, and insidious murder plots…
 
Make Wednesday your regular soap night for 8 weeks this winter as the hilarious WIT ensemble "...prove they are formidable and funny"* with a brand new, completely improvised continuous soap opera that keeps everyone guessing! Including us!
 
Eight nights of shows. Six characters in search of a storyline. One spontaneous saga of polished stupidity.
 
"...a high calibre of humour and W.I.T"*
(*www. theatreview.co.nz)

 
Starring Christine Brooks, Anna Burns, Julian Faid, Derek Flores, Clare Kerrison, Simon Smith, Paul Sullivan,
and Anton Van Helden.
 
Wednesday 11 June – Wednesday 30 July

Blue Note Bar, 191-195 Cuba Street

Door sales, per show $8
Season pass (see all shows!) $40
Please email info.at.wit@gmail.com for details

Catch 23 - Improv Comedy

micetro

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 @ 8:00pm
19 April to 31st May
Wellington Performing Arts Centre
36 Vivian St, City

Adults $12 / Conc. $10
Door sales only
1 hour 50 minutes duration

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

micetro

The Young and the Witless - an improvised soap opera!

From those witty bastards who brought you such improvised comedy classics such as 'Love Possibly' and 'To Be Continued,' comes 'The Young and The Witless: an improvised soap opera."

Does anyone know what's going on? We don't! It's all improvised!

With more twists, secrets and dirty dealings than parliament! A continuing improvised story that keeps everyone guessing. Including us!

Eight nights of shows. Six Characters in search of a storyline. One spontaneous saga of polished stupidity.

Starring W.I.T regulars Anna Burns, Anton van Helden, Christine Brooks, Clare Kerrison, Julian Faid, and Simon Smith. Directed by Derek Flores.

Wednesday to Saturday Feb 20-23 and Feb 27-Mar 1
Blue Note Cafe, 191-195 Cuba Street
8pm - Tickets $12 / $10 / $8 door sales only.

Micetro - Bringing Improv to the Burbs

micetro

Need a good laugh at the end of a hard day, but don't want to drive back into the city?

Wellington Improvisation Troupe has the answer - crash and burn elimination improvisation where the audience decides the winner. Comedy for those that need it most!

Part of FringeNZ

WIT gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Creative Communities Wellington City, Creative Communities Hutt Valley and Hutt Valley Community Arts



or coverage concerning the mists of time through to 2007 check out the old old shows
WIT... Fumbling Towards Awesome