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 the final member, Caroline

Hello Caroline! tell us about yourself 

Ok so I am the oldest in Punders…. Do I care ? Nooooo !!!! getting used to it.

So to cover so many years in a paragraph….

Born in Hornchurch – Essex

Was good at sports…. never got me anywhere.

Went to all girls secondary – failed the 11 + … yes that old !

Never went to uni… I am proud of that !

Worked and worked and worked…..

Now on my 3rd career ….. Gotta do it or else I’ll get bored.

Still single no children with a couple of surrogates and god daughters along the way.

How did you get into improv?

Well I saw a colleague from work do a show as a fund raiser for the charity I worked in way back and I was so fascinated.

Yes – So fascinated…. I never forgot that evening…… Then I saw a Groupon can you believe it for an introduction weekend.

half price and went for it. What had I got to lose?

When in fact it is what have I gained……

Now to describe how I felt after that weekend with Sprout Ideas I learnt and laughed … and laughed and met wonderful people who are now very dear friends… I had never laughed so much in my whole life….

I got addicted !!!!

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

Now this is a tricky one because I started of with learning…. games and scenes and loved it … loved it…

Then remember that person i spoke about who i saw doing a fundraiser all those years before ?

Well she suggested to go to her school which was the Free Association.

I did level all the levels there to learn the Harold. I have to say I am a bit of a slow learner and so took me a while to ‘get it’.

Still working on that and loving it.

Besides the course …. what about the people well I have met along the way so many fantastic, wonderful and talented people I can’t tell you how my world has changed.

I am a good supporter and have supported students in their class performances… I have supported improv shows of friends …I have been to comedy nights …. I have been to show cases, performances … fringe stuff.. No one can take that away… It is awesome and the community is fabulous.

Oh yes… back to the question…

So I like long form Harold…. I love the games too… I have the wonderful Holly to thank for that…. she is adorable.

My next adventure will be more intense improvised stuff which I think might lead me to Playback Theatre – I dunno…. I will see whats around the corner.

Who are some of your favourite improv acts and why?

I really like to see the FA Harold teams on Harold Nights…..who wouldn’t ? they are my friends now ! I know I can always learn form watching.

I also like the other nights they do like teacher jam and also the cage match as well as Saturday shows too. All different…. All funny … Jaw ache time.

I like Happily Never After – The Maydays doing their improvised gothic musical.

I also love to see Suki Webster at the Miller with her guests fun and funny.

Which comedians do you find inspiring and why?

I don’t really have a favourite…. I am a bit odd there because in comedy I like clever shows like personal stories or character sketches. I am not keen on sexual, racist and discriminatory stand up comedians making a cheap joke about others. not funny.

but then i like Keith Lemon on Celebrity Juice so why ? can’t tell you… still trying to work wit all out.

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

Do it Do it Do it !!- Its life changing for you and life changing for people you know because you will be life changed…. All good and positive

Three words why people should see you at the miller launch pad.

We Rock… differently !

Quick Fire found

Answer with first answer comes to mind

Favourite film

The wonderful world of the Brothers Grimm

Favourite band 

I have got too many favourites…..To name a few though…..

Led Zeppelin

Band of Skulls

Queens of the Stone Age

Slim Chance

and there are so many more………

Best advice you have ever been given

Always save a piece of your heart for you to survive the world

Best place you have been on holiday

Zambia – In a Lion Conservation Camp in the middle of the Bush, looking after lions.

Favourite colour 

Purple… I would normally say black but I know people say…. Black isn’t a colour!

Favourite song Lyric

Darling it’s been building up inside of me

Tonight we’ll go and paint this town

We’re gonna drink champagne, till we both fall down

And we’ll find some other crazy dream tomorrow.

Favourite action hero

Tommy Lee Jones

Marmite love or hate?

Love it … It is good for you …

One thing you can’t live without

Music … preferably live music

Last book you read 

Wayfaring Stranger – James Lee Burke

Favourite website

Facebook

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

I would sure like Billie Piper to play me in a film. She inspires me

Favourite alcoholic drink? 

Gin…. & Tonic of course !!!!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time ?

Retired…. Travelling…. Laughing….Having fun… Embracing new experiences.