WILDCARD formed early January 2011 with a group of students who sought to devise a student based theatre production in an effort to attract younger audiences to the UCT drama campus. The success of this venture, WILDCARD WKND, led to key players in the ensemble to form a comedy group, WILDCARD COMEDY.

Three comedians, two mimes, and a musician took a director, designer and video documentary team to 2011 National Arts Festival to produce an ‘underground’ theatre show, completely off the radar and the festival map. The production used guerilla theatre in public spaces to market the production, which ran over 3 days within the first week of the festival, in a local Grahamstown Bar, frequented by a student market. This venture was reputable enough to receive support performances by SIV NGESI, ROB VAN VUUREN and MARK PALMER.

Using regular monthly stand-up comedy gigs (at Cape Town’s Purple Turtle) to generate audience support, the ensemble wanted to create theatre that takes its inspiration from its audience. Regular recordings made from the suggestions given by the audience during the show defined the brand and growth of the market for a younger theatre-culture in South Africa.

The group’s reputation for creating work that is contemporary, innovative and distinctly South African led it to become a favorite among Residence Formals and Graduation Dinners, as well as private events.