Next week there is a show at Hoopla Impro at the Miller in London Bridge that is celebrating improv for a good cause. The Charity Special night is in aid of St Lukes Hospice and it will have guest sets from The Bareback Kings, Jack Left Town, Other People’s Children, Panicky Tack and Do The Right Scene. I caught up with Alison Kent to find out all about it.

Hoopla! Charity Special – In Aid of St Luke’s Hospice

Date: Wednesday 11th September

Time: 7:30pm

Location: Hoopla Impro at The Miller, London Bridge

Price: £12

Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/hoopla-charity-special-in-aid-of-st-lukes-hospice-tickets-69993120307

Hello Alison. Tell us all about who you are!

I’m Alison Kent and I’m part of DuckDuckGoose who run a weekly jam and show. I like silly jokes, pink drinks and old Cliff Richard musicals.

How did the show come about?

I saw that Hoopla was offering people the chance to run a night for charity and jumped at the chance.

How did you get into improv?

I started doing short form when I was working in Kuwait as a way of meeting people and to try something different. Then I moved to Chicago and started going to long form jams and workshops, and then heard about DDG when I moved to back to London and really wanted to keep jamming. I was a regular jammer and then got asked to join the team and I’ve had a blast since.

Tell us a little bit about the show that are happening this week?

My mum sadly passed away in December and this show is to raise money for the hospice that cared for her. They were absolutely amazing and I would love to be able to do something to help them in return. I’ve been really lucky to get some of London’s best teams together for it. It’s an incredible line up: Other People’s Children, Jack Left Town, Panicky Tack, Do The Right Scene – Special Delivery and The Bareback Kings. I’m really grateful to them all for giving up their time for such a great cause.

It is a new season of improv what are you most looking forward to seeing?

All the stuff people come up with for the Hoopla Marathon, and the new season at DDG.

It is the month of September – what were some of the best shows that you saw at festivals over summer and why?

Camden fringe was great this year. The Parentheticals were brilliant. I love fantasy and their improvised quests always have brilliant characters and are a great play on that genre. And The Bareback Kings were awesome too. I love the way they work a crowd.

How do you warm up before a show?

Warm up games I like are Mr Hit and 8 Things. I also just usually do a lot of panicking and running around. If I’m hosting I like to get changed and dress up to get my head straight.

What have been some of the best suggestions that you have been given in a show and why?

My first show with DuckDuckTales we were given the suggestion Steam Punk and I ended up being a robot horse. I had been really nervous but had a blast and it really made me want to perform more.

Tell us about the charity and how people can show their support on the night?

It provides care and support for people with terminal illness and their families. The environment they create and the care they give make a terrible situation so much more bearable as patients are made as comfortable as possible and families are incredibly well supported. It took a lot of the scary stuff away and allowed us to spend time with my mum properly at the end. Buying a ticket to help raise money for this is the main way to support, but there will also be a bucket for donations.

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

DDG Improv on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and Never Mind The Newsfeed on facebook.

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

All amazing teams.

QUICK FIRE ROUND

What makes your smile?

Silly puns

What is your biggest strength as an improviser?

Physicality

Dream venue to perform at and why?

Main stage at Glastonbury. Everyone seems to say it’s a good one.

Are you a dog or cat person?

Cat

What is the most delightful suggestion for a scene you can think of?

I can’t. For some reason I never make suggestions.

If you had to have a tattoo to represent improv what would you have and why?

Everything Is Going To Be Ok because improv gives you the freedom to turn things around and it’s a reminder to not get nervous

Who is your improv hero and why?

Everyone else on team DDG because they create a space that really brings out the best in people and brings people together.

What is the last thing you liked on social media?

A friends post about camping

Something on your bucket list

I don’t have one. I’d rather just be happy with what I’m doing.