A Very Merry Scriptless
The Forge at The Court Theatre, Christchurch
13/12/2007 - 22/12/2007
Production Details
Devised and Performed by The Court Jesters with Scott Koorey MC
Presented by The Court Jesters
Masters of improvised mayhem The Court Jesters give their fast-paced, furiously funny brand of comedy a festive feel in A Very Merry Scriptless, enjoying a nine-show run in The Forge at The Court just before Christmas with shows at 8pm from December 13-22. Returning by popular demand, this holiday-themed improvised show is a theatrical Christmas cracker for all ages.
Based on the late-night show Scared Scriptless – New Zealand’s longest-running comedy show and a Christchurch icon – A Very Merry Scriptless has content suitable for all ages. Each night performers create scenes incorporating audience suggestions (and volunteers) to produce original scenes, songs and stories.
Artistic Director of The Court Theatre Ross Gumbley (a founding member of The Court Jesters) knows mixing improvised comedy and Christmas cheer is a winning formula. “The audience help create the show that they want, so every night has a sense of connection and play between the performers and the crowd,” Gumbley explains, “it’s pure fun for everyone – on and off stage”.
Those familiar with the more late-night exploits of Scared Scriptless can rest assured that while the material will be in the same anarchic style of quick-witted humour the Jesters have become famous for, the language and topics are guaranteed suitable for all ages. “We were thrilled with the number of families that came along last year and we’ve taken care to keep A Very Merry Scriptless a family show.” Gumbley adds. With that in mind, the show is on at 8pm (giving everyone time to eat dinner and help with the washing-up) and the ninety-minute running time ensures children will be tucked in their beds before 10.
With quick-thinking comedy, improvised antics and Christmas cheer, A Very Merry Scriptless will be a great Christmas treat to relieve some of the shopping stress or just enjoy some festive fun. “It’s a cracker of a show,” says Gumbley, “and every night will go off with a bang.”
A VERY MERRY SCRIPTLESS
Devised and Performed by: The Court Jesters with Scott Koorey MC
Venue: The Forge at The Court, Christchurch
Production Dates: December 13-22
Performance times: 8pm Monday-Saturday (no show Sunday)
Tickets: $20 adults, $15 students, $18 groups 10+
Bookings: The Court Theatre, 20 Worcester Boulevard; 963 0870
Online bookings at www.courttheatre.org.nz
Theatre ,
Approx 1hr 25min, no interval
Ho Ho Ho Hum
Review by Lindsay Clark 14th Dec 2007
Yo ho ho indeed. As predictable as the pleasantly over-indulged feeling that goes with the season, four of the talented pool making up the Court Jesters, spurred on by Scott Koorey as Master of Ceremonies, caper through some tried and tested Theatresports challenges, with varying success. Not every cracker has that snap we hope for.
The stage scene itself is jolly enough, suggesting a Kiwi bach with strings of cards, a decorated tree and a pile of prezzies destined for the volunteers who guarantee full audience support. Tricky moments shaped by the games are, of course, twice as interesting when there is one of us out there. The audience for the first night of the season was in loyal good spirits, willingly responding to the string of invitations offered.
Guaranteed to please too is the range of games covered, each cleverly linked to the Christmas activities we all recognise – decorations, shopping for gifts, the work party and family rituals. The fun of watching someone in role as Father Christmas, guessing what and who he is dealing with ( we of course having chosen these given circumstances ), or of following one of those double handed interviews (this time involving a sack of spectacularly difficult presents ) is crowd- pleasing stuff.
In spite of a fail-safe format and an audience already well warmed up to its role before the MC started his banter, the Jesters’ performance, albeit energetic, was little more than routine antics this time around. The encounters to come may well spark into that creative madness which can ignite audience and players alike. In the meantime the ho ho is rather ho hum.
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