Fringe Fest Improv Turns Into Trans-Tasman Grudge Match

For Immediate Release

FRINGE FEST IMPROV TURNS INTO TRANS-TASMAN GRUDGE MATCH

"Not a grudge match at all," says local improviser while wearing All Blacks jersey and eating pavlova which we invented by the way.

This Sunday (Feb 24) at the Fringe Bar All Star Micetro will become an epic, international battle of wit, spur-of-the-moment storytelling and glorious failure.

The cast of visiting Australian show Spider Dance ("a feminine tempest of divine creativity" - Theatreview) will vie with a Wellington Improvisation Troupe crew including some of the stars from Secrets ("some of the best improvisation I have ever seen" - Theatreview) for the coveted title of Micetro.

Update: The Aussie contingent will be joined by award-winning performer Emily Taylor of award-winning show Cannonball. This thing just got real, people.

In a storm of spur-of-the-moment games, stories, songs and shenanigans, the audience will decide who gets eliminated, and whether a Kiwi or an Aussie survives to receive the Trans-Tasman Micetro crown.

As well as determining which nation is more awesome, the event will also hopefully settle how to correctly abbreviate the word 'improvisation'. (They say 'impro' and we say 'improv'; this is an actual thing.)

WIT Co-Creative Director Lyndon Hood welcomed the Australians, describing them as "coming here with their quirky improvisation and their endearing interpersonal mischief, and stealing our laughs".

"It would be tacky to mention underarm bowling. It would be counterproductive to complain about them stealing Russell Crowe. It would be patronising to point out their one and two dollar coins are the wrong way round and they can't spell 'Syrah' properly. Let's just say we have a score to settle.

"Especially with that traitor McCoy," he concluded.

Spider Dance's Merilee McCoy spent many years in New Zealand gaining the trust of local performers before returning to Australia, possibly carrying a copy of the secret blueprints of Wellington improv to her Melburnian masters.

In response to these allegations McCoy wiped the red dust from her sweaty brow, squinted moodily into the far distance and drawled, "They're just confused because someone got on a plane from Australia."

"It's all in good fun. We love them really," said Hood. He then explained the final two weeks of All Star Micetro at the Fringe will proceed as originally planned "once we have driven these interlopers from our shores".

Is national pride on the line? Will it be insane? Is one of the WIT regulars actually kind of an Australian? Yes, Yes and YES!

Many walk in, but only one walks out. Will a kiwi or a 'roo become... The Micetro?!!!

All Star Micetro: Fair Dinkum Trans-Tasman Death Battle Royale Of Doom Edition
7pm, Sunday 24 Feb at The Fringe Bar
All Star Micetro: Returning To Your Regular But Still Awesome Scheduled Programme
7pm Sunday 3 & 10 March at The Fringe Bar
Tickets $15/$12/$10, door sales only

Spider Dance
6.30pm February 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 at the Gryphon Theatre
Tickets $18/$15/$13, Dash Tickets

Cannonball
February, 25, 26, 27, 28, March, 1 at BATS Theatre
Tickets $20/$15/$12 at BATS

ENDS

© Scoop Media