It is August which only means one thing – it is Camden Fringe time! Over the next few weeks we are chatting to acts that are performing at the festival and finding all about their show and what they would call this years iconic Camden Fringe Pigeon! Today we speak to Beth and Molly about In Stitches

Date: 4th – 5th August
Time: 6:00pm
Price: £10 concession £8
Location: Hen and Chickens Theatre
Ticket Link: https://camden.ssboxoffice.com/events/in-stitches-theatre-company-presents-comedy-improv/

Hello! Tell us about yourself? 

Hey, we are in Stitches Theatre Company. Name is Beth Cowan, I’m the Co-founder and director. And I’m Molly, Co-founder and Company Manager. We are Rose Bruford Graduates, who set up this company from a smaller project for our final year dissertation. 

Beth studied in America for a few months on a study abroad placement and joined an improv troupe, when she came back she started working on her own improv project, and pulled Molly in as one of her improvisers, once the project was done- they didn’t want to let go of it, and hence- in stitches was born! 

How did you come up with the name of your show that your taking to the Camden fringe?

There isn’t really a heartfelt or super creative background to our name… we just sort of thought of it! We wanted to go with something that didn’t box us too much, and in stitches is a pretty popular metaphor for laughter so we sort of rolled with it. It rolls off the tongue quite nicely, doesn’t it? 

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

So we are doing a comedy improv show which is entirely short form games, we wanted to keep it simple and sweet for our debut performance and it’s always fun to get the audience involved with prompts!

What will your set be about?

Who knows? That’s the beauty of the show- it’s never the same each time. 

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

I know there are some other awesome improv groups coming, like gamezimprov all the way from Iceland! I’m also really intrigued by the stand up comedy acts, Beth has always loved standup and can’t wait to see the new emerging artists! 

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

Beth: Make sure you save/raise enough money! Yes you can hire the venue etc but there will always be more costs such as advertisement etc, don’t overlook any financial elements.

Molly: Don’t do everything by yourself, we both work together as a team and it has really helped us navigate the costs/scheduling/promoting for the show. 

What are your favourite things about London?

Molly: I love exploring the big city, coming from the countryside in the East Midlands it’s a complete change of life style and there’s always something to do! 

Beth: The opportunities! You are never too far from creative expression in all forms, whether that’s a theatre, an exhibition, street art- it’s just full of live and inspiration. 

What are your three favourite things about Camden?

Molly: I love Camden as it’s full of life and opportunities for young artists. I heard of Camden Fringe Festival last year as my friends performed their first play and it was brilliant seeing them create their own work and promoting their debut play! Now having our improv troupe I knew I wanted to perform there this year! 

Beth has actually never been but is super intrigued to visit the Markets and street art exhibitions. 

Favourite one liner you have done in a show and why?

Beth: Honestly I think i pretty much black out during all improv shows… so I couldn’t tell you. But I do remember a Christmas show once, we had a Mariah Carey prompt, and I just so happened to be wearing a Mariah Carey Christmas T-shirt under my outfit that I was able to tear away reveal in the middle of a scene, that was pretty fun. 

 Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Beth: Ooo that’s a good one. I’d love to see some big improv names/company members like Adam Megiddo or Second City Alumni- but honestly, anyone who will laugh at my jokes.

The iconic image of the Camden Fringe is the Pigeon – if you could call this years pigeon a name to represent its style what would it be and why? 

Mr C. Fringe. He looks like a distinguished gentlemen.

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

Our insta and our Tiktok – both @institchestheatrecompany 

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

Funny. Laugh. Haha.