• Interested in playing?

    Great! Read on...

    What is the Late Night Knife Fight?

    A 90 minute monthly improv show held in the Studio at BATS Theatre, on the second (ish) Saturday of the month.

    How does it work?

    In the first half, three teams perform for 10-12 minutes each. At the end of the half, the audience is invited to vote for their favourite by placing plastic knives into the team's bucket.

    After the interval, the headline act performs a 25-30 minute improvised set. The winning team is announced, presented the trophy by last month's winners, and returns the next month as the headline act, with three new teams competing in the first half.

    How do I enter?

    Sign up to our casting newsletter! The important things:

    1. Teams may have from 1-3 players. (Note: we don't put teams together. That's your job!)

    2. Teams must provide a team photo, something square, high res and good looking. If not a group shot, then a selection of good head/mid shots We know this can be tricky - if selected to play, we'll ask if you need a hand.

    3. You should have some kind of concept for your performance that you can perform for 10-12 minutes, and then, if you win, that you can perform as a 25-30 minute performance.
      Note: This can be as simple or as fiddly as your team is into - maybe it's an exploration into a particular genre with costumes and props, maybe it's an experimental game or format, or maybe it's 'Let's see what happens when we three get on stage and go'. You just need a sense of what you're trying to achieve. We're looking for people who want to play together and perform at their best as much as we're looking for fancy new formats. This is about developing improvisors, not creating stumbling blocks - throw yourself in there!

    4. You should be available for the next show in the event your team wins as you will be cast as the headliner. Please do not enter if you cannot commit to this.

    5. You should be super keen on telling everyone about the cool show you're in and help us sell tickets! A full house is more fun for everyone.

    6. Teams must agree to our code of conduct.

    7. We will select teams with one eye on giving interesting ideas and new teams a go, and the other on ensuring a varied and quality line up each month.

    What do teams receive for playing?

    We will provide you with a muso, a lighting operator, a place to test work, and hopefully a full house of people who want to see you succeed. We will also try to reserve seats for you so you can watch the half of the show you are not in. Winning teams will be programmed in the following month's show, and will also receive a 2 hour rehearsal in the Studio with the option of some coaching/feedback. All teams and performers will have access to feedback from the production team on the night.


    We would love to provide more - like comps! and money! - but at this stage we're in a tiny 40 seat theatre, there's heaps of people to take care of, and we have no idea if this is going to work. We hope you'll still get a lot of value out of the opportunity to play in new teams, try out new work, get feedback, and develop stuff further if there's potential.

    I have more questions!

    Great! Get in touch with Jen.

  • Code of Conduct

    Late Night Knife Fight supports and promotes work that is accessible, diverse, and respectful of each other and of our audience. Whether you are working in comedy, drama, horror, or any other genres in your improv, there are some ground rules.

    1. All performance should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds. We are aware that you are working in the moment and that sometimes inappropriate things come out, and sometimes audience suggestions will be less than savoury. We trust that you will use your professional judgement as performers to ensure the work you present does not become inappropriate or harmful. Remember, you are not obliged to accept audience suggestions that do not inspire you or that will lead to work that falls outside of these guidelines. Sexist, racist, or exclusionary jokes are not appropriate.

    2. We wish to provide a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body type, race, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment, abuse or discrimination of participants or audience members in any form.

    3. Keep the competition in the show. Off stage, please be courteous, respectful and exhibit good sportsperson behaviour.

    4. Be a good audience member. If you are in the show, please do not offer ask-fors to performers.

    5. Attend all required safety briefings and listen to all directions given to you by the MC, stage manager, and BATS staff on the night. Respect the venue and follow its rules.

    6. Be on time and prepared for shows and call times. Do not arrive drunk, or get drunk while waiting for your turn to play. You will not go on stage.

    7. Respect the facilities. Report any hazards or accidents promptly and honestly. Be a good neighbour. Make the show look good.

    Consequences for teams or players who breach these rules will vary depending on the circumstances, and may include the offending team or player/s not being invited back, or forfeiting their performance spot (or having their time cut short) on the night.

     

    We would much rather everyone had a good time and kept playing, though, so we ask that you talk to us if you are confused or concerned about any part of this code.


    If you wish to discuss anything that happens during or around a show, please contact Jennifer O'Sullivan, or talk to the MC or Stage Manager on the night. We will keep your report confidential.

Cookie Use
We use cookies to ensure a smooth browsing experience. By continuing we assume you accept the use of cookies.
Learn More