What do two seasoned improvisors do to spice up their stage life? Bring in a third player! Each night, a new guest joins veteran kiwi performers Jennifer O'Sullivan and Matt Powell on stage for an hour of fresh theatrical magic. The catch? Nobody, except their specially-selected improv couples therapist, knows who the guests are until they walk out on stage. Award-winning show Awkward Threesome (13–16 March at Scruffy Bunny Improv Theatre) will bring back its combination of the joy of improv with the thrill of blind-dating at the NZ Fringe Festival 2018.
Awkward Threesome has been performed in various configurations in New Zealand, including a special one-night-only “Triple Threesome” at the 2016 Nelson Fringe Festival, and will also appear for a two-week season at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in April. This NZ Fringe Season is a chance for Wellington audiences who missed out the first time round to experience the show whose 2016 debut was awarded ‘Tastiest Show’.
“We kind of had to ask at the time about what the award meant, which was awkward,” says O’Sullivan. “But it was like, ‘mmm, yum, that show really filled me up’. Which is a nice thing to have someone say about your show... right?”
“Can’t-look-away hilarity that surprises and delights” — Nelson Mail
“The bar is set high. Will the chemistry be just as good with the next mystery guests? Take the risk – it's bound to pay off.” — Theatreview
Christine Brooks (Definitely Not Witches, Taking Off The Bird Suit) joins Jen and Matt as their couples therapist, finding a variety of performers to fill their 4-night season. Although their previous guests have all been seasoned improvisors, that’s by no means a hard and fast rule, and the pair are looking forward to seeing what surprises Brooks pulls out of the woodwork to challenge them and delight the audience.
“We can’t wait to see what our guests have in store for us,” says Powell, “Last time, one improvisor brought a table full of mystery liquids we had to mix together and drink to inspire scenes. That was definitely a challenge.”
Jennifer O'Sullivan has a long history with almost every company in Wellington as a performer and a director. She created the hit show Late Night Knife Fight, directs the New Zealand Improv Festival and generally functions as an all-round rad babe.
Matt Powell finally moved to Wellington in 2015 after 12 years with Christchurch’s Court Jesters. A two-time winner of the Wellington Pun Battle, he can be seen performing regularly at the Scruffy Bunny Improv Theatre, at Late Night Knife Fight, with comedian Jonny Potts as The National Average, and at the New Zealand Improv Festival.
Matt and Jen are regulars in the NZ impro scene, with 40+ years’ experience between them. Together they bring audiences their own brand of cheeky charm, creating never-to-be-repeated theatre out of thin air.
AWKWARD THREESOME
Dates: 8pm, 13-16 March 2018
Venue: The Scruffy Bunny Improv Theatre, 100 Courtenay Place, Wellington
Tickets: $12-18 from fringe.co.nz