All this month we are chatting to Rachel Thorn, someone that you may recognise as they have written many articles for us in the past. Rachel is heading to the Brighton Fringe this month with her team Mates which we will find out all about today!

Location: Komedia
Date: 21st May / 22nd May
Time: 1.30pm / 3pm
Ticket Price: £10
Link: https://www.komedia.co.uk/brighton/brighton-fringe/mates-the-improvised-90s-sitcom/

So, Rachel, tell us about your act you are taking to Brighton Fringe?

I am one third of MATES: The Improvised ‘90s Sitcom, which is a hilarious homage to TV classics such as Frasier, Seinfeld and Friends. 

How did you come up with the name of your show that you are taking to the Brighton Fringe?

We were playing around with puns on Friends, Men Behaving Badly, How I Met Your Mother etc. When we remembered that Mates is also a condom brand, we were sold!

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

We create a brand new episode of Mates, a sitcom about three 20-somethings who live in a rent-controlled apartment in New York City in the ‘90s. The show has all the tropes of a classic ‘90s sitcom but with the added joy of improv magic.

What other acts are you looking forward to seeing at the fringe?

I really recommend Hyenas at Rialto Theatre. Hilarious and beautifully observed one-woman comedy, which I saw in Edinburgh last year.

How are the rehearsals going?

Good! We have a show in  Halifax on 14th May, so we should be thoroughly in the zone.

Have you done the fringe before? What have been some of your favourite shows to date and why?

I’ve performed at Brighton Fringe for several years in a row and I love it. It’s such a fab city, by the seaside, and the people who live there are so up for great fringe theatre. I’ve seen lots of other shows over the years, but RH Experience’s Scribble really sticks in my mind. They perform with so much panache!

What advice would you give to others who want to perform at Brighton Fringe next year?

There are lots of different venues at Brighton Fringe, so if you can, check out the ones you’re interested in this year and see which shows suit them.

What is the best thing about performing at the Brighton fringe?

The audiences. I’ve never had an audience at Brighton be anything less than totally up for it.

Tell us about your average day on a festival show run?

This year we’re also performing Sex, Lies & Improvisation, so it’ll be a case of brunch, followed by an awesome show, followed by dinner, followed by an awesome show. Bring it on!

Performing by the sea as well, that surely makes the fringe all that much more fun?

Oh definitely. I’m sure that just looking at the sea is good for your mental health!

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

It would just be social media gold if the cast of Friends came to see us!

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

We are @matesimprov on Facebook and Twitter.

And finally finish this sentence – ‘you should see our show at Brighton Fringe because…

It’s a ‘90s nostalgia fest that is guaranteed to make you laugh your bumbag off!