We caught up with Kirsty and Jeff, two of our most seasoned Jesters, to find out why they love improv, what they’re looking forward to this year, and just how challenging it really is to perform on a moving train!
How long have you been a Court Jester?
Kirsty: I started improv in 1989 when it first came to Christchurch, and was there performing when the Jesters were ‘born’ in 1990. The group was quite small then so while I workshopped with the regular performers, I wasn’t officially a court jester till 2003 (so 22 - 35 years).
Jeff: I've been a Jester continuously since 1996, so almost 30 years.
Why do you do improv?
Kirsty: It’s like make believe ‘play’ for adults and it’s so rare that you can leave the shackles of adulthood to just make stuff up. When an audience is delighted at the stories you’ve created nothing compares.
Jeff: Because no two shows are the same, even 'scripted' shows like Murder on the Tormore Express. It's constantly changing based on the other performers and audience interaction. It's super fun and different every time.
What would you say is your signature improv style (what are you known for)?
Kirsty: Hopefully I’m regarded as being a strong storyteller with good general knowledge and a slightly risqué, try anything attitude. Gymnastics also features now and again.
Jeff: Being very fast with a pun, a rhyme/song lyric or a one-liner to finish off a scene.
Do you have a particular 'career highlight' from your time in the Jesters?
Kirsty: Any Friday when the stars align and the whole team shines together is a highlight you’d love to bottle!
Jeff: Immediately after the quakes my family and I went up to Nelson while the theatre figured out what was happening next. Looking for something to do, I organised a fundraiser at the Nelson Theatre Royal and most of the Jesters' company came up and performed a sold-out show! It was amazing to feel a bit normal for a night.
A funny story (lowlight!)?
Jeff: Early in my career I was asked to dress up as a parking warden during Orientation at the University of Canterbury and give out "fake fines". Unfortunately, some drunk students thought it would be funny to chuck me into the Avon River. My crowd work skills have improved a lot since then, though...
What are you looking forward to about the new theatre?
Kirsty: A dedicated, acoustically magnificent space and regular 9pm start time (which should allow more people to enjoy Scared Scriptless).
Jeff: Everything. Being back in the heart of the city, being across the road from a library (my first love before I got into live theatre), the opportunity for people to discover the shows and just wander in for a night of comedy. It's going to be amazing.
What character do you play in Murder on the Tormore Express?
Kirsty: I’m the bride’s mother Lady Ashford. I am very unhappy with Arabella’s choice of suiter as he is a crass American from the movie business.
Jeff: I play Donald DeMiles, the director of Rex Cable's incredibly successful ‘Handsome Cowboy’ films. He is very much an artiste with a passion for the film industry.
What are the challenges of improvising on a train?
Kirsty: Being heard and wearing high heels on a moving train for 5 hours.
Jeff: When the train is packed, it's a total marathon - literally! I wore my Fitbit for the first performance (five sold-out carriages) and racked up over 10,000 steps for the night!