Improv army silly forth in name of fun
Fruits of comedic passion in new season
One’s a doctor, another works as a barrister and there are several teachers, a builder or two, a software developer and a chemical engineer in their ranks. What they share is an addiction to improv theatre — the kind that requires a quick wit and equally quick thinking.
Every week, performer Nik Edwards, software developer Mike Witt, executive and leadership coach Tamara Anorosoff and builder Darcy Murray join a group that numbers up to 50 people, aged 22-68, to play.
They’re part of the Covert Theatre, a group that exists to make and perform high-quality improvisational theatre and help developing performing artists take their talents to the next level. The Covert Theatre itself came out of one of New Zealand’s most successful comedy ventures, the Improv Bandits, who have been around for 21 years.
Founder Wade Jackson wanted to pass on the enjoyment he got from making improv — the fun, the laughter
and the creativity — to those in the community who didn’t necessarily want to give up their day jobs.
Each of Covert Theatre’s members has made a show and these are now being staged as part of a Winter Season of Improv.
Why do they do it? Edwards says it’s partly to challenge himself and to learn new skills; Witt says it’s about connecting with people and Murray describes it as a way of expressing creativity which is part of being human.
“You . . . get out of your everyday life and play, and how often, as adults, do you get to do that without being arrested?” says Anorosoff.
Jackson himself terms it active mindfulness because it demands performers be completely focused on what they’re making — and just what they’re making is being revealed through a series of midwinter performances, now under way.
Although each performance hinges on audience suggestions, there are various themes and tropes to use when creating a performance: the faux catastrophe, the pick a path or scenes involving characters being stuck in certain situations.
Witt says the weekly classes are the highlight of his week.