MEDIA RELEASE
A Scriptless Carol
The Court Jesters are putting on a show that will make you laugh like the Dickens in the third popular holiday season of A VERY MERRY
SCRIPTLESS, at The Forge at The Court Theatre from November 28 – December 20.
New Zealand’s best improvisers give Dickens’ A Christmas Carol a new twist with their decidedly anarchic bent of humour, using audience suggestions to take the classic tale in
unexpected and amusing new directions. “Once again the emphasis is on family-friendly improvised comedy – a show that
all ages can enjoy” says Artistic Director of The Court Theatre Ross Gumbley “but this time we create a new exciting interactive experience”.
A VERY MERRY SCRIPTLESS has become an annual event for the Jesters, and an extremely popular show for all ages.
Following the success of PULP WILLIAM and other shows where performers improvise single story, Gumbley (a founding member of The Court Jesters) worked with the Jesters to create a Scrooge story that highlights the
storytelling talents of the company.
The Court Jesters appropriate iconic characters and elements from Dickens, then use the audience to decide key
information: for example why Scrooge hates Christmas; what illness Tiny Tim suffers from and the famous dead celebrities
that are the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future. The result is a different story every time. “Every night has
a great sense of connection and play between the performers and the crowd,” Gumbley explains, “it’s fun for everyone on
and off stage”.
Shows are Fridays and Saturdays over four weeks, with room to add additional shows if numbers demand (“Last year we only
had a two-week run and by the end of the season we could have filled another few shows with the people who missed out”,
adds Gumbley). All shows begin at 8pm to ensure friends and family can get home early or head out afterwards to enjoy
some Christmas cheer.
With all tickets for A VERY MERRY SCRIPTLESS at $15, even Scrooge would be rushing out to buy a ticket.
A VERY MERRY SCRIPTLESS
Devised by and featuring: The Court Jesters
Venue: The Forge at The Court, Christchurch
Production Dates: November 28 – December 20 2008
Performance times: 8pm Fridays & Saturdays (Thursday performances may be added)
Tickets: All tickets $15
Bookings: The Court Theatre, 20 Worcester Boulevard; 963 0870
Online bookings at www.courttheatre.org.nz
ENDS