It is festival season and that means that in the next month there is so many great comedy festivals to look forward to! This month we are talking to acts performing at an array of festivals to find out more about their sets and what they have planned for their shows. Today we speak to an act that are flying all the way from Australia to be part of the Edinburgh Fringe! I caught up with Eden to find out all about their improv show
Name Of Show: Improvised Improv
Time: 22:00
Date: August 12th-16th
Location: Outhouse – The Loft (Venue 99)
Hello Eden! Tell us about your show and the name of your troupe and how you came about?
Hi! Our show is called IMPROVISED IMPROV. Can you guess what we do? We get some suggestions from our audience and then improvise an hour-long play based on those suggestions. No structure, no script, just balls-to-the-wall, hilarious improvised fun.
Our group is called Changing Jennifers; we’ve been improvising together since 2008; performing in many Adelaide Fringe Festivals, Melbourne International Comedy Festivals, and EdFringe in 2016. We also perform regularly in Adelaide (South Australia) throughout the year.
How did you come up with the name of your show that your taking to the Fringe?
We came up with the name IMPROVISED IMPROV because we really wanted to make it clear that ANYTHING can happen. So many improv shows have a genre or a gimmick that their shows capitalise on; but with our show, you could see a gritty western one night, followed by a period drama the next. All we know is that the show will be a great time for everyone.
Tell us a little bit about your style of comedy?
Well there are five of us in the troupe, all with different styles and approaches. We love the comedy legends from Monty Python and The Mighty Boost, and of course we have tremendous reverence for the performers from Whose Line Is It Anyway and the Upright Citizens Brigade. But boil it all together and our style of comedy comes from truth. We start by playing very truthful and grounded scenes and let the show spiral into the weird and wacky from there. Story is one of our strongest areas, so when you come and see us, be prepared for a great story.
What will your set be about?
You tell us! We’ve recently done shows about mystical and magical marketplaces in Marrakesh, about grimy science fiction rebellions on the moons of Jupiter, about simple romance and murder mystery set during the early days of Australian settlement. We have done so many shows over our ten years as a group and never once trodden the same ground.
What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the Fringe?
EdFringe provides an opportunity to see improv shows from all over the world; so I’m looking forward to seeing other improv shows. It’s so beneficial to see what others are doing in different places, and hopefully they’ll come to our show as well and see what the land down under has to offer.
Have you done the Fringe before? What have been some of your favourite shows to date and why?
Yes, we performed in EdFringe in 2016 with an improv show called DreamForm which was stylistically very different to Improvised Improv. My favourite shows that I saw last time were again, all improv shows, because that’s my field. However, I did thoroughly enjoy several scripted theatre shows. The performers in Changing Jennifers have all got a scripted theatre background.
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 and what other modern technologies do you think could alter the way we interact and watch comedy?
That’s a tough question. I know that for improv, we require a live audience in the room with us; not just for the suggestion that sparks the show, but to feed off the energy that a live audience brings. However, if we were able to instantly create visual locations through VR, so instead of just saying that we’re in an 18th century lounge, the audience could SEE us in an 18th century lounge through VR, then that could be very exciting.
What have been some of the most unique and different comedy sets you have seen this year and why?
Tough question! I loved Poncho Orange in Melbourne International Comedy Festival for his bold and unique performance style. Very physical and very interactive. I also really enjoyed for the same reasons, Garry Starr Performs Everything in the Adelaide Fringe Festival. Finally, one of the most touching and enjoyable stand-up performances that I’ve seen in a long time is Simon Taylor’s Happy Times.
If people want to find out more about you where can they follow you on social media?
People should follow Improv Adelaide on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. And if you’re looking for more detailed information, then check out www.improvadelaide.com or www.changingjennifers.com.
And Finally in three words – Why should people come and see the show?
Wacky, Australian, Fun.
ED FRINGE QUICK FIRE ROUND
Best thing about performing at the Fringe?
Access to international audiences.
The most challenging thing about performing at the fringe?
Getting butts in seats.
What three items are essential for a successful Fringe?
Lots of energy. Lots of fun. Low expectations.
What’s the secret to successful flyering?
Politeness. Don’t get in people’s way. Don’t ruin their day. Offer your flyer with a smile and a positive attitude.
What are the best venue’s at the fringe?
The Outhouse!!! 12A Broughton Street Lane, Edinburgh!
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