On the 11th October, London based improv troupe, Punderstandably are performing their show Improv Towers, as part of the Launch Pad show at The Miller, in London Bridge. To celebrate the troupes new line up and new show of the new season, we gave them a chance to do a bit of a troupe takeover so you can meet the new line up and find a bit more about them! Today we talk to a guy that was part of The Shambles in York and is our newest member – Ben!

Hi Ben! Tell us about yourself!

My name is Ben and I like to do improv. I’m 6 feet tall, have poor eyesight and once got lost in a center parcs for 6 hours.

How did you get into improv?

I went to the University of York and got involved with their comedy society. They had an improvised comedy troupe there called The Shambles who I instantly fell in love with when I saw them. Fast forward a year and a successful audition later, I was part of the group and haven’t stopped performing since.

What’s your favourite type of improv you have done so far?

I started doing short form at uni, so that will always have a special place in my heart. Since moving to London quite recently, I really got into long form, so I’m a dabbler of both kinds now. A short form long former.

Who are some of your favourite improv acts and why?

The only thing I love more than comedy is comedy music, so when I saw the Showstoppers improvise an entire musical before my very eyes, I almost cried with sheer joy at the technical skill and talent they displayed. If I was to have a favourite improv act, it would be them.

Which comedians do you find inspiring and why?

This is probably the toughest question of the lot. There are so many I could list, but I’d probably say Rachel Bloom. She writes and stars in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, probably the most unique sit come to come out in years. Special mention to Louis CK, Patton Oswalt, Chris Morris, Limmy and the sketch group Aunty Donna.

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to do improv?

Just do it. You’ll never participate in something more supportive, enriching and beneficial than a really good bit of improv.

Quick Fire Round

Answer with first answer comes to mind

Favourite film

The Royal Tenenbaums

Favourite band

Electric Light Orchestra

Best advice you have ever been given

Be the change you want to be.

Best place you have been on holiday

Amsterdam

Favourite colour

Green

Favourite song lyrics

That bit in the Home Improvement theme song that goes “WHOAAA”

Favourite action hero

Hulk Hogan

Marmite love or hate?

Crime

One thing you can’t live without 

Vine compilations on YouTube. Specifically this vine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dK2EUHZOjc

Last book you read

Slaughterhouse 5. And it fu***ed me up.
.

Favourite website

youtube.com

Which actor would  play your part in your life story if it was a film?

Nicolas Cage

Favourite alcoholic drink?

White Russian

Where do you see yourself in 5years time ?

Squandering my chances of ever owning a house by investing heavily in avocado toast stocks, and being screwed over in the financial crash of 2019, like an ungrateful millenial.

See Pundestandably Improv, 11th October at The Miller Pub, London Bridge from 7pm