Instead of Show of the Week, this week we are delving into the world of Festivals and have chosen Zeal the London Pride Improv Festival as our choice. The festival runs between the 5th – 7th of July and is being held at The Cavendish Arms, there will be many acts performing including Christian Adore & Eaton Messe Dragprov Revue, The Delight Collective and Me Plus One just to name a few. I sat down with co-director Stephan to find out what they have in store!

Hello Stephen, tell us all about Zeal!

Zeal is London’s Pride improv festival, showcasing LGBTQ improvisers from London and abroad.

Tell us a little bit about the festival that is happening this week?

The festival is at the Cavendish arms, a charming pub venue in Stockwell, where queer events are frequently held. It’s 3 days of fast, funny, and quirky improv that you won’t see anywhere else.

This year we’ve got acts coming in from Amsterdam, Bristol, Brighton, Cambridge, and Birmingham. Come and catch them while you can!

What sort of style of shows can people expect?

There’s a huge range of styles, which is really exciting! There are musicals, short form, long form, twoprovs, drag, mystery shows; it’s a crash course in what our scene has to offer. Check out all of our acts here: https://zealimprov.com/acts/

How did the concept of the festival come about?

We were chatting about ways to expand the improv community, and diversify. We wanted to put on the shows nobody else was, and bring in a different audience. There’s a particular delight in going to a queer event and feeling the energy as a group that’s usually the minority becomes the majority and really lets it all hang out artistically, and the improv community was missing out on it!

Some acts have already tried it and done shows in the environment, but do you think virtual reality has a space to be used in comedy festivals and what other modern technologies do you think could alter the way we interact and watch live show comedy?

I really think there’s no substitute for watching humans improvise live in front of you, though there are some fun ideas being floated about VR and robot improv.

What’s the highlights of some of your previous festivals that have occurred?

I’ve really loved seeing performers I know try something completely out of their comfort zone, and I’ve loved seeing so many new faces in the audiences!

What have been some of the most unique and different comedy sets you have seen this year and why?

At the risk of tooting our own horn, I love our Dragprov evenings. We have non-improvisers improvising, improvisers trying out drag, and a unique handful of regulars who do both like pros.

If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media?

https://zealimprov.com/

@ZealImprov

https://www.facebook.com/ZealImprov/

And Finally in three words – Why should people come and see the show?

It’s really gay XD

QUICK FIRE ROUND

If you could buy any type of food (right now) what would you buy?

Ice cream

What is one of the things you would put on your “bucket” list?

Circumnavigating the globe

Describe yourself in 3 words.

Cheerful, kind, queer

When I dance, I look like…?

a 1950’s pinup girl

What is your favourite T.V. channel?

I like Netflix

If you could get a yacht what would you call it?

HMS Minataur

What TV sitcom family would you be a member of?

I’d want to be in a sense8 cluster

Last item you purchased?

Hot sauce

If you could win any award what would it be, why?

Most hugs given in one day, because I would enjoy myself thoroughly 🙂

Due to it being festival season, Show of the Week will be going on hiatus until the autumn. Don’t be too upset however because its festival season and we will be bringing you lots of interviews from all the best acts performing across the country and beyond!

If you want your improv act to be featured in Show of the Week in the future, then please feel free to message us on our Facebook page!