THE IMPROVISORS IN HISTORY NEVER REPEATS

[1hr +]

at Circa Two, Wellington
From 1 May 2012 to 5 May 2012

Reviewed by: Maryanne Cathro;

The Improvisors make the historical hysterical

The Improvisors have a real history in Wellington Comedy and to celebrate their 22^nd year in business they are taking on history itself in a brand new show created especially for the NZ International Comedy Festival..

HISTORY NEVER REPEATS takes a theme from the audience and features it in a series of interwoven stories that travel back and forth through time. Each story features further audience input along the way to keep the stories fresh and funny and put the performers on their toes. “We're going to start well back in time and move into the future and then head back again,” says Improvisors Artistic Director Greg Ellis. “But we have no idea what exact time periods the audience will send us to, what links will be made from period to period or what the overall story will be – that's the audience's challenge to us.”

In the past The Improvisors have taken inspiration from such heavyweights as “Glee”, “High School Musical”, Andrew Lloyd Webber or “Harry Potter” but this time the show's inspiration is a little more literary. David Mitchell's time-travelling genre-bending novel “Cloud Atlas” has sown the seed this time. “But audiences don't need to run out and read the book for homework,” says Ellis. “Whether you know the book or not it doesn't really matter. The most important thing is that you're in for a great laugh”

Although the final product is entirely up in the air each night what the audience can depend on is that it will be funny. The Improvisors have been performing in Wellington theatres since 1990 and have made a bit of a tradition about coming up with entirely new formats for each NZ International Comedy Festival. “We were around for the first ever Comedy Festival and we have developed a loyal audience who like to see us try new stuff,” says Ellis. HISTORY NEVER REPEATS is the latest addition to The Improvisors history of fresh, unpredictable and always funny shows and premieres 1^st of May.

As part of the NZ International Comedy Festival 2012
THE IMPROVISORS IN HISTORY NEVER REPEATS

WELLINGTON
Dates: Tue 1 – Sat 5 May, 7:30pm
Venue: Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki St, City
Tickets: Adults $18, Conc. $15, Groups 8+ $15
Bookings: 04 801 7992 or www.circa.co.nz
Duration: 1 hour +

For a full line up of performances, booking details & more information, visit www.comedyfestival.co.nz