Comedian Deconstruction
Unplanned. Unpredictable. Uncontrollably funny.
Comedian Deconstruction is a unique mashup of the worlds of stand-up and improvisational comedy kicking off late on
Friday 1 May at Fringe Bar, featuring the best local, national, and international stand-up comics of stage and screen
backed up by the international festival’s best improvisors. The standup comics do their sets, the improvisors perform
scenes and stories based on the sets. Hilarity ensues.
Featuring an ever-rotating line up of performers, every night promises to be uniquely unrepeatable - book early and
often! Confirmed performers include Adrienne Truscott (USA), Cori Gonzales-Macuer (NZ), and Jerome Chandrahasen (NZ), and improvisors from Definitely Not Witches, WIT, The Improvisors and Best on Tap, with further announcements to be made on the Kickin’ Rad website and Facebook page.
Comedian Deconstruction is the brainchild of Jess Carpenter, a comedian from Philadephia. It was brought to this side of the globe by Neil
Thornton and Jennifer O'Sullivan. The first performance occurred this spring in Wellington and was a rousing success,
and was even nominated for "Best New Show Concept" in the Wellington Comedy Awards.
“What’s great about this show is that it lets both comedians and improvisors shine at what they do best,’ says
O’Sullivan. ‘As comedians, we carefully craft our materials for maximum laughs. As improvisors, we hone our skills in
on-the-spot hilarity. Some might see these kinds of performances as an either/or but in this show, they’re entirely
complementary. And really, when the performers shine, the audiences wins.’
Neil Thornton is a stand-up comic who recently moved to New Zealand from New York City, where he was a regular at many New York
Comedy Clubs and performed all over the Northeast US. He now tours as a comic throughout New Zealand and recently
appeared on TV3's comedy special After Hours.
"A bold performer with intelligent material… constantly amusing and thought provoking."- The Ruminator
Jennifer O'Sullivan is one of Wellington’s premiere improvisors (The Young and the WITless, Thrills & Swoon, Taking off the Bird Suit). She currently performs with Definitely Not Witches, PlayShop and WIT, and is the director of the New Zealand Improv
Festival. She has improvised in Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland, Canberra, Melbourne, and London.
ENDS