Friends to the End
Wiremu Tuhiwai & Brendon Bennetts
Join Wiremu and Brendon as their friendship is tested by an alien invasion, or a robot uprising, or a zombie outbreak, or whatever else the audience might suggest.
Inspired by movies like Shaun of the Dead, The World’s End, and Scott Pilgrim vs the World, prepare for a show that mixes sincerity and over the top action into a joyful improvisational maelstrom. After all, the real apocalypse is the friends we make along the way.
About the Cast
Wiremu Tuhiwai (Woody) is based in Wellington, New Zealand performing and teaching improv nationally and internationally. Wiremu has been a part of every NZIF since its inception, alongside Brendon Bennetts and Darryn Woods, and looks forward to do it all again for 2025.
Brendon Bennetts has been performing and directing improvisation for the Court Jesters in Christchurch since 2002. He has created popular improv shows such as Pulp William, Off the Map, and The Dream Team, and was part of the Court Jesters’ victorious team at the 2019 NZ Theatresports National Championships.
Living is Like
Directed by Andrea Ferpo
Once upon a time, there was someone who felt growing up was like constantly being at university, another for whom falling in love was like playing roulette in a casino, and another whose jealousy was like eating spicy food every day.
Living Is Like harnesses the power of metaphor to unleash the hidden emotions behind our everyday actions, the way we think about ourselves, and how we view each other.
About the Director
Andrea Ferpo is an actress, clown and improvisation teacher, who recently appeared in Contigo Capitán (Netflix). Her devised works as a performer and director centres around the Impro Sensorial methodology. She currently directs Marandí Arte Escénico, a multidisciplinary artistic company in Lima, Peru. In April 2025 she directed and produced the first Festifendesensorial, a festival of Sensory Improvisation and Theatre, also in Lima.
Content Warning - Friends to the End & Living is Like
R16 - As this show is improvised, we cannot guarantee the presence or absence of specific content or themes beyond what is in the description above. The show may contain mature themes and language, but not gratuitously. The show may contain voluntary audience interaction, such as giving a suggestion for a scene.
Image description: Two images are combined. The left image shows Wiremu and Brendon sitting on the floor while zombies loom behind them. The right image shows a hitch-hiker standing on the side of the road with his thumb out, waiting for someone to pick him up.
