MAGIC SCHOOLS, WEREWOLVES AND SONIC-TOOLS
BATS Theatre, The Dome, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
12/10/2021 - 12/10/2021
Production Details
Two cloaked figures stand at a precipice, magic wands drawn!
The Speedster races to stop Dr Scorch from activating their heat ray!
The first Martian colony only has one toilet and you must wait your turn!
Magic Schools, Werewolves, and Sonic-Tools is a short story anthology with a touch of the otherworldly. Expect exciting magic, silly monsters, and dramatic androids in this high-energy adventure as we explore some of the stranger sides of fiction.
The NZ Improv Festival returns with its annual celebration of improvised theatre in all its forms. From comedy to drama, musicals to mystery, and plenty of mischief, there’s something for everyone. Eighteen unique shows over five days at the wonderful BATS Theatre – don’t miss a moment!
BATS Theatre The Dome
12 October 2021
8pm
The Difference $40
Full Price $20
Group 6+ $18
Concession Price $15
BOOK TICKETS
The NZ Improv Fest takes place at BATS Theatre
Performance programme 12-16 October 2021
Workshops 8-16 October 2021
Learn more at www.improvfest.nz.
Magic Rules...
Aaron Douglas
Ali Little
Ciarán Searle
Ian Harcourt
Jonathan Mandeno
Lyndon Hood
Susan Williams
Wiremu Tuhiwai
Ben Kelly (music)
Bethany Miller (op)
(Malcolm Morrison)
Theatre , Improv ,
1 hr
Improvisation at its entertaining and intriguing best
Review by Margaret Austin 13th Oct 2021
It’s so long since I wore my reviewer’s hat to BATS that I almost don’t recognise Blue the barman and am reprimanded by Badeos the usher for fumbling to find my ticket to this second show in this year’s NZ Improv Festival: Magic Schools, Sonic Tools and Werewolves.
Once seated in the Dome, however, my bemusement turns to amusement as ten improvisers take the stage. Captained, or is that spellbound, by a red cloaked archwizard of sorts, their task is to take us on a journey to mundane universes – such as our own, suggests their leader drily.
The mediaeval magic suggested by the title is borne out by costume, demeanour and, best of all, performance themes. These are selected by the archwizard from a large tome and tossed in the direction of two or more improvisers. A demon is summoned by a warlock and levels of fiendishness are discussed. Accountants are the worst of the damned and suffer a drubbing throughout the evening. A lone player must offer their own eulogy and advises us to “enjoy the misery of your immortality.”
An apologetic wizard converting to Christianity and confronted by a disappointed colleague is especially delightful. “You’ve got the best lightning bolts, but I’ve found something better.” And a time traveller meets an immortal – for the tenth time – in Courtenay Place.
It’s for the archwizard to call time and bring the acts to a close. This he does by intoning, “As it is written,” to which we chant back, “It is told.”
This evening’s performance is directed by Malcolm Morrison, keyboarding is by Ben Kelly and Bethany Miller is lights operator. And if tonight’s anything to go by, the rest of the week will showcase improvisation at its entertaining and intriguing best.
Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer
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