Improv the Musical promises to banish winter blues

Improv the Musical promises to banish winter blues

“….a small miracle of creative achievement. Not to be missed.” Theatreview

Throw out the lemon drinks and the tissues – it’s time for some winter laughter as Top of the South Arts Touring brings Improv the Musical to Nelson.

New Zealand’s top professional improv comedians, The Improvisors from Wellington’s Circa Theatre lay waste to Lloyd Webber, Rogers & Hammerstein, Lerner & Loeb, Kander & Ebb and even the legendary Les Miserables in this full length fully improvised musical at the Nelson School of Music on August 25.

Past audiences have been treated to such gems as ‘Circus - The Musical’, ‘Dial B for Bollywood’, ‘Beehive - the Musical’ and a show featuring dwarves, the plague and the Middle-Ages.

Top of theSouth Arts Touring spokesperson Janice Marthen says audiences can expect a great night out full of inspired improv, interaction and music, served up with a side of topical satire.

“Essentially the audience calls the tune and the actors respond – drawing on their 17 years of improvised theatre and their encyclopedic knowledge of musicals from Camelot to Cats to create a show which will be different every night,” she says. “There will be theatre seating and cabaret which really lends itself to a relaxed night out – you can take a table for six or just book your own seats and meet some new friends.”

Court Jester and Artistic Director of Nelson’s Body in Space theatre company, Daniel Allan, says audiences are in for a rare treat: “Anyone who likes the raw energy of live theatre performed by world-class professionals will be struck dumb by Greg Ellis in Improv the Musical - he's like the Dan Carter of improvisors.”

Top of theSouth Touring Arts has a special offer to lure out new or lapsed theatre-goers. People who have not attended a show at the Nelson School of Music for threeyears are being offered special ‘guest’ seats under a scheme called Test Drive the Arts.

“Test Drive is all about trying something new – we hope that after experiencing a live performance, people will want to come back for more, so as part of the deal we ask to include our ‘Test Drivers’ on our mailing lists for our e-newsletters about future shows,” Janice explains.

To register for Test Drive the Arts go to the Nelson events website It’s On at http://www.itson.co.nz/competition/chance-test-drive-arts/

Improv the Musical is on at the Nelson School of Music on Thursday August 25 at 7.30pm. Tickets are $20 and $25. Bookings: 03 548 9477

ENDS

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