INDEPENDENT NEWS

Court Jesters Give Movies the Flick

Published: Fri 2 May 2008 10:27 AM
Court Jesters Give Movies the Flick in “SCRIPTLESS UNCUT”
The Court Jesters are taking audiences to the movies in SCRIPTLESS UNCUT, a show that mixes the comedic genius of improvised comedy with the magic of movies.
Opening with the glitz and glamour of a Hollywood awards ceremony, four performers romp across genres, styles and the bounds of political correctness as they create anything from art-house, melodrama and independent film to schlock horror, science fiction and big-budget blockbusters, armed with only their wits (and audience suggestions) to guide them.
Director Patrick Duffy describes SCRIPTLESS UNCUT as a love letter to an industry that “shoots too many pictures and not enough actors”. Duffy is a consummate theatrical entertainer and founding member of The Court Jesters, who most recently devised and directed Pinocchio for The Court Theatre. He has an impressive list of theatrical achievements behind him, presenting several improvised shows such as Geezers and Rock On in The Forge and touring The Antiques Roadshow in 2007. He is also an avid filmgoer (“at least one movie a week”) and was the first choice to direct the show.
Following the critically-acclaimed Pulp William (a mix of Quentin Tarantino films with William Shakespeare) the Jesters have studied a much wider range of genres and styles as well as cinema history in preparation for SCRIPTLESS UNCUT. The result will be a mix of classic movies revisited with a fresh take, fun homage to well-established genres and outrageous “outtakes” from popular films. Being uncut, the show can switch from PG to R18 in an instant and Duffy is adamant that “while the show is uncensored, it isn’t gratuitous – the key focus is always what’s best for the story”.
Theatre has a unique advantage over screen, which SCRIPTLESS UNCUT exploits shamelessly – interactivity. The audience control the style or subject of the scenes, and choose one of three “pitches” to be the full-length “feature-film” that plays out for the second half of the show (including the “hit soundtrack song”).
Whether audiences are film buffs or think 'Deep Throat' is a movie about a giraffe, SCRIPTLESS UNCUT has something to entertain everyone.
SCRIPTLESS UNCUT by The Court Jesters
Directed by: Patrick Duffy
Featuring: The Court Jesters
Venue: The Forge at The Court Theatre
Performances: 16 May – 14 June 2008 – shows Thursday, Friday and Saturdays at 8pm
CONTENT MAY OFFEND
Tickets: $15 from The Court Theatre
Bookings: Phone 963 0870 or online www.courttheatre.org.nz
ENDS

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