All this week we have exclusive interviews with just some of the acts that are performing at the Hoopla Impro Marathon in London Bridge between 7pm Friday – 11pm Saturday night. Since I always ask fellow Punders to answer questions about our shows, i felt it was only right it was my turn.

Punderstandably Improv

NAME OF SET: Channel Flip – The Improvised Television Show

TIME SLOT: 4:15pm Saturday 

Tell us about Punderstandably and the name of your set!

Punderstandably is a short form improv troupe that pride themselves on high energy sets. We love creating fun and silly scenes and always try and create something different. Our set for The Hoopla Improv Marathon is called Channel Flip: The Improvised Television Channel.

How did you come up with the name of your show?

Our set is made up of two show television shows / short form games – PokeProv which is a parody game of the animation Pokemon that is a character swap based game and The Jeremy Smile Chat show which is similar to Jeremy Kyle however the drama comes from a Nursery Rhyme….

Tell us a little bit about your style of improv?

Punderstandably do short form improv and our main aim with our sets is to create high energy so the audience have a great time. We always try and take common improv games and turn them into different concepts and give them a bit of a twist.

What will your set be about?

Silliness, characters, drama and a lie detector test!

What other acts are you looking forward to?

Nerd Salad, Dark Matters, Jack Left Town and Swipe Right

What have been some of your favourite shows to date and why?

I really enjoy the nights that we host because so much work goes into them and seeing audiences come to watch us especially is a lovely feeling. I think our first one in May is one of my favourites because it was a really fun night and great fun.

A lot of people at the moment are trying to transition improv into video to post on social media channels – do you think this works for improv or do you think the art form is lost in the transition?

I think it really depends as to why you are recording it and your aims as to what you want to get out of recording improv. If you are recording it to show long distant friends a show or to keep as a record for yourself, then I think it is a good idea to record a show.

At Punders we record big shows so we can watch it back at a later date to see where are production values and games can be improved in an audience environment. I think it is nice to see recorded shows on Youtube from around the world to see how people approach games however, the magic is lost and the humour is not really brought across on camera.

I think the only things that can be recorded on film and be effective is shows such as Whose Line and Impractical Jokers – but that is because of the editing, the music and the production values.

The one thing I am really intrigued about is what virtual reality can bring to a performance space….but that is for another time to discuss about….

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

I was a host at one of Dragprov Revues shows before Edinburgh Fringe and I was really impressed by their show as it really is a show for everyone not just improvisers.

Hands down my favourite show of the year is Newsical – it is one of the best shows that I have seen in an improv environment and I wish they were doing more shows I am so gutted they are not. I always wanted to be part of their troupe as they were just so inspiring.

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

Twitter – @PS_Improv

Facebook / Instagram – PSImprov

Or just search Punderstandably Improv

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

Pokemon Lie Detectors!