All this month, we are interviewing the improv team Canny Funny. A troupe that is located in Northampton who have monthly shows as well as some huge ones coming up in the next month. They have their Halloween show on the 27th October and then have two shows at the same location, Pomfret Arms in Northampton on the 24th November and 15th December. All this month we are going behind the scenes of the team to find out all about them. This week we go behind the scenes of the team…

How long have you been a team for? In that time, what have you learnt about each other?

Toni: How mutually supportive we are of each other and how much fun we have!

David P:  All those little things that we have in common that we can use as shortcuts in character and world building. The fact that we really all do have each others backs both on and off stage.

Craig: Everyone gets something different out of it. Everyone has a different approach to it. Those differences are complementary.

Jen: We all come from different backgrounds and experiences and I love the way that we can bring that to the stage , but still get right on the same page with each other . I have performed with some of the group for many years and others only a few years and I learn so much from all of them . They are such a brilliant supportive bunch

Neesha: We’ve got each other’s back, no matter what happens. There’s fun to be had in every scenario on and off stage!

“…wanted our logo to be bright, bold and colourful with a sense of playfulness…” 

Jen, Canny Funny

Tell us about your rehearsals – what are they like?

We live in different places so it is rare that we are all together at once , but for the Northampton gang we usually have a lot of fun and I love how we come up with new spins on games  and are not afraid to try out new things 

Favourite warm up game?

Toni: Mind Meld

Autumn: Mind Meld

David P: Mind Meld

Craig: 8 things

Jen: Mind meld

Neesha: mind meld

How do you wind down after a show?

Toni: A drink or two and chatting to audience members

Autumn: The long drive home

David P: Drinks and dancing.

Craig: I wish I could

Jen: a drink and a chat usually ( occasionally a late night drink and dance if we can find somewhere decent)

Neesha: I like to unwind with the team at a bar, and chat about the show. Often, I race home for a relaxing bath as I usually have an early start at work the next morning. Lol!

There are many improv teams out there, how do you stand out from the rest?

Toni: A unique mix of members – we love being around each other

David P: A lot of the teams focus on longer form improv games and whilst that’s a goal for us, We take the short form games and build something around them to give them context.

Craig 

Jen I think we have a great mix of people of different ages , backgrounds and experience , but we all genuinely get along and I think that comes across on stage

Neesha We have Canny Funny T shirts that stand out and team members who are outstanding!

Best compliment you have received about your team!

Toni: That was better than the professional stand up comedian we just paid to see…

Autumn: “I’ve had an awful day. This really cheered me up”

David P: We’re not just funny but clever with it, lots of knowledge on niche genres and oddly enough grammar.

Craig: “That was so clever and so stupid!”

Jen: Better than mushrooms!

Neesha: The energy was amazing. How do you all make it up on the spot?

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

Jen: There are many reasons I came up with the name but the main one is this:

Canny: A very versatile Geordie word meaning pleasant/nice.

Gan canny – go carefully. It can also mean quick thinking and smart. Its origin is thought to be  variation on the Scots word ken meaning to know and I’m Kenny so …

Tell us about your logo – who created it and what was behind the idea?

Jen: I created it . It was sort of based on the Andy Warhol soup cans , but the idea of putting cats was because sometimes it can be like herding cats to get the team together etc . I wanted our logo to be bright, bold and colourful with a sense of playfulness . 

“…We take the short form games and build something around them to give them context...”

David P, Canny Funny

Where do you see Canny Funny in 5 years time?

Toni: Still entertaining in Northampton, but perhaps performing further afield too.

Autumn: Comedy Central.

David P: More members playing more sites around Northampton and beyond. We love guesting around the East Midlands and hosting other groups on our nights.

Craig: Enjoying improv

Jen: I’d love for us to get to some international festivals ( day job permitting)

Neesha: I can see us doing regular gigs in bigger venues/ festivals. I think we could easily branch out into radio/ podcasts, or have a youtube channel.