Vale Cal Wilson

Clown Jewels (2023), a portrait of Cal Wilson by Andrea Huelin.

Along with the Aotearoa improv community, we are mourning the passing of comedy icon Cal Wilson. As well as being an iconic standup comedian, presenter and national treasure on both sides of the Tasman, Cal was instrumental in the early days of improv in Aotearoa.

Cal was a founding member of the Court Jesters in Ōtautahi Christchurch in the early 1990s. She went on to represent New Zealand at the World Theatresports™ Championships in 1994, winning the title. In a 2019 interview for the Funny As documentary, she said of her time with the Jesters:

“It’s been this breeding ground for so many comedians and so many creative people in the arts. And it trained me. It trained me how to be funny, how to read an audience, and it made me really fearless [. . .] I still look back on it as being such a fantastic time. We were so lucky. Like, we didn't realise how lucky we were.”

The impact of her work can be felt throughout the Aotearoa improv scene to this day, with generations of comedians being inspired by her work: sharp, big-hearted, generous, and unapologetically Kiwi. She was a pioneer for women in Aotearoa improv and comedy both onstage and off, mentoring and supporting countless emerging artists.

To say she will be sorely missed is as much an understatement saying she ‘liked a pop of colour now and then.’ Our thoughts are with her friends and family.