Whose Birthday Is It Anyway…?

22nd August 2007

Whose Birthday Is It Anyway…?

International comedy star Colin Mochrie reunites with a former teammate as Canada takes on New Zealand at The ConArtists birthday weekend on November 16 and 17 at the Bruce Mason Centre.

Star of Emmy award winning television show “Whose Line Is It Anyway”, Colin Mochrie will take to the stage for two nights only as ConArtists celebrate their 20th birthday with a weekend featuring a host of well known performers from the company’s past and present stable of talent.

THEATRESPORTS™ LIVE! embraces the spirit of competition for two nights to celebrate the two decade history of one of New Zealand’s most successful performing arts companies. The first night sees the established names take on the next generation of performers for an improvisational battle that will have audiences rolling in the aisles. The second night sees the home team of New Zealand take on a host of improvisational talent from Canada.

Scottish-Canadian performer Colin Mochrie is best known to NZ audiences for his nine year stint on the original UK version of the popular television series “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” His roots are with the illustrious Second City Toronto comedy troupe, whose alumni include Mike Myers of “Austin Powers”/”Wayne’s World”/”Shrek” fame, John Candy and Dan Akroyd. Mochrie has been the recipient of two Canadian Comedy Awards alongside a Gemini and Writers Guild of Canada awards for “This Hour Has 22 Minutes.” He has also had starring roles in Canadian comedy series “Blackfly” and “Supertown Challenge.” Recently, Mochrie has appeared on the big screen in Jackie Chan’s “The Tuxedo” and the upcoming Canadian film “Surviving My Mother”.

THEATRESPORTS™ LIVE! reunites Mochrie and New Zealand based Jim McLarty. McLarty was involved with the Vancouver Theatresports League and frequently appeared in the same team as Mochrie – including the now famous ‘Five Things You Wouldn’t Feed Your Cat.’ McLarty has been involved with United Theatresports since 1990 as National Co-ordinator and amongst several appearances with the ATC he co-directed Milo’s Wake, which became a surprise hit in the 2005 Comedy Festival.

This reunion is just a snapshot of the wealth of talent THEATRESPORTS™ LIVE! has to offer, with appearances over the nights by Greg Cooper, currently working with Peter Feeney on the new work A Night With Beau Tyler, two-time International Theatresports Champion Lori Dungey, popular comedienne Penny Ashton and many more.

Over the past twenty years ConArtists (formerly Theatresports Auckland) has helped to cultivate a wide range of New Zealand talent, with the likes of Oliver Driver and Craig Parker regularly featuring in their performances. Through the development of improvisational skills, the troupe’s modus operandi of combining theatre with sports in a way that brings the audience to life while challenging actors to create theatre on the spot. Just like gymnastics, the actors play in teams and their scenes are scored. The judges were introduced to take the pressure off the actors if their improvised scene didn’t work.

Committing to giving back to the community, the Theatresports™ Youth Programme (TYP) continues to work with up to 25 schools throughout the Auckland area on an annual basis. Workshops are run to enable teachers and senior students to teach Theatresports™ in their schools. The skills learnt promote positive choices, self-esteem and good teamwork.

THEATRESPORTS™ LIVE! – 20 Years of Improv with Colin Mochrie 16th and 17th November, 7:30pm Bruce Mason Theatre Price: $55 Adults, $45 Concessions and groups of 10+

Booking for this event available through Ticketmaster – www.ticketmaster.co.nz or 09 970 9700 (service fees may apply)

For more information, visit www.conartists.co.nz

ENDS

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