Welcome to the feature which we are going to feature ever so often as part of Improv Corner. Ever so often. we are going to talk to improv acts about some of their favourite things about the comedy form. Today we speak to Lelda from the team Blanche Improv. The team has a monthly show in London with their next one being on the 15th at Cavendish Arms featuring the Short Form Revolution, Stella Loo-prov and of course Harold Loves Blanche. I spoke to Lelda about he favourite things about Improv.

What is your Favourite:

Improv style:

 I am not fussy about style, I love any show where the team is clearly excited to play together- their support, camaraderie and playfulness is so powerful. There’s a fearlessness! Everyone is free to make daring, committed, physical and emotional offers knowing they’ll be picked up and played with.  

Short form game 

I love Puppets, it’s so silly.

Improv act:

 How could it be any team other than The World’s Best Improv Show- RaaaatScraps?! 

Film or television show:

 I’m a sucker for old school American sit coms. Let me have a day in bed eating pizza watching Will & Grace and I’m in heaven!! 

Venue to perform at:

 In London- the gorgeous Cavendish Arms. But my heart will always belong to my first improv home- The Improv Conspiracy in Melbourne.

Way to wind down:

 In bed eating pizza and watching sitcoms… I’m unsophisticated and kinda gross, I know, but I am consistent.

Way to warm up:

Any simple warm up game where everyone is connecting and laughing. My fave by far is Convergence.

Suggestion:

 I recently saw a show where they asked the audience for the logistics (not the details) of an event that they were embarrassed (or maybe even ashamed) of, it was so brazen!!! I love that danger! 

Show by another improv act:

 I got to see Baby Wants Candy after living in Australia, feeling so so far away from the rest of the world. I was that excited to see them, my eyes were all blurry with tears, so I think the show was incredible- I couldn’t see most of it. (I’m pretty confident the show was incredible.)

Memory of a show:

 Seeing a show- the first long form improv show I ever saw. It was a free show in New York, I don’t even know which theatre it was – I think maybe The PIT. Someone at the hostel where I was staying convinced me to go with a big group. I was a really snobby musical theatre geek and going to see some ‘cheap, fringe sh**’ did not fit with my idea of a good night out. F*** me!!! It was amazing. It was so surprising and random to my structured, nerdy little mind. I walked out, mind blown, not quite sure what just happened but I was absolutely changed for ever.

Doing a show- I walked across the stage carrying an imaginary box. It was the first time I got a really big laugh for doing a simple, logical thing. My improv addiction took hold in that moment. 

Part of rehearsing a show:

 Getting to know the people I’m playing with, learning what everyone’s super powers are, what tickles them and how to use all our strengths to create a special show. 

Thing about performing 

Knowing that we are all (cast, crew, audience) sharing a moment in time, that we are connected and expressing our humanity. I really believe that theatre is a potent magic with healing powers. Being able to participate in that such an honour. 

Quote:

 Leap and the net will appear 

Thing about the improv  industry at the moment:

There is so much energy and passion- seeing people’s love of improv on stage in really interesting, fun ways! 

Thing about this year so far? 

 Okay it’s sappy but being part of a growing community which is connected by friendship and love.

If you are an improvisers or want your improv troupe to feature get in contact by emailing us at phoenixremixcomedy@gmail.com