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 Swipe Right an improv troupe in London that have held improv nights a lot through the years. From tomorrow they are hosting a brand new free monthly improv night at Shoreditch Balls. Today I find out all about their favourite things about improv.

What is your Favourite: 

Improv style:

Rosie: Grounded, relationship based improv.

Andy: Anything that gets to the heart of the matter. Shortform that really finds the joy, or long form which really touches on the characters’ truths. Or anything with singing.

Robin: Ideally, in a jam, where you both find the common ground between each other and make your own kind of style. When you’ve never met the person before, that’s my ideal I guess but, more commonly, something slow enough to take note of what’s going on around you and make it important but not so slow it makes everyone involved uncomfortable.

Short form game: 

Rosie: Sex with me.

Andy: I love the game where every line is a question. Though I can’t play it at all well. I also LOVE New Choice, when deployed in both short form or long form. It so often produces really interesting scenes, but they still feel based in truth. The improviser has to rely on what they’re really thinking/feeling, so whatever tumbles out of their mouth will have great foundations for more.

Robin: I used to HATE pan left. Then I realised that it was such a cool training tool for so many things, but especially beats between scenes. Aside from that I’ve always quite liked three-headed expert because it’s so inherently collaborative and ridiculous.

Improv act: 

Andy: Honestly – there’s too many to mention out there at the moment. I’ve been seeing loads of new acts that I’ve not seen before and there’s so much great energy out there. But I still love the old favourites, particularly Austentatious. I’m harbouring a deep secret to do improvised Austen one day.

Robin: Not quite such a deep secret there, Andy. I’ve always loved Austentatious – they’re the first improv group I ever saw so that will always have a special place for me. 10KK, Ten Thousand Improvised Love Stories, was always a favourite too. I have not seen either in a while. Of the new things I’ve seen recently I really enjoyed the sheer cheekiness of Bean Spillers.

Film or television show:

Rosie: Eastenders forever.

Andy: I’m really vibing with Star Trek: Strange New Worlds at the moment. Fun sci-fi with a cast who are clearly having a great time.

Robin: I like both of these choices, especially the musical episode in S2 of Strange New Worlds (amazing!) and The Six storyline in EastEnders. That was such committed storytelling – they really went all in on that, and I admire them for it. For me, I like a lot of stuff but my stock answer is a Canadian comedy about a small town theatre festival called Slings & Arrows. Each season plays with a different Shakespeare play unfolding behind the scenes and on the stage. It’s bonkers in just right way.” 

Venue to perform at:

Rosie: The old Nursery at Theatre Deli Broadgate.

Andy: I think it has to be The Miller, just because there are so many memories there now (Save the Miller!)

Robin: I did love the Nursery at Broadgate. It was such a special place because it was built very much by everyone together, doing bits and bobs and funding little bits here and there although obviously the Nursery staff actually put their hearts, souls and brains into it and actually made the place work week in, week out. Still, it was a real community project and it had that feel when it was running. I learnt tech there, we performed on the same bill as Scott Adsit from 30 Rock there, and had many many many great nights there. Everyone felt invested in it in a very direct way I think and you really felt it every time you went. Or I did, anyway.” 

Way to wind down:

Andy: After improv – a pint. In general, a good rowing session at the gym.

Robin: I don’t really have one, which is arguably a problem. Possibly audiobooks.

Way to warm up:

Rosie: Multi player Dutch clapping.  

Andy: Dutch Clapping. All the way. Plus yelling different kinds of relationships at each other before we go on stage to remind me of the options.

Robin: I also love Dutch clapping. It’s something of a group obsession. I also really like a good conversation.  

Suggestion:

Andy: It has to be an emotion for me, as that’s produced some of my most interesting improv, I think.

Robin: Something surprising.

Show by another improv act :

Andy: Too many! Stop making me choose!

Memory of a show:

Andy: Again, too many. But it’s often the first time I saw acts, first felt the magic of another new idea. 

Robin: Running a night at the Miller when we opened the door and there was a line down the stairs and those people in the ticketing app suddenly became real. Recently, in person, trying a short show with Andy that we deliberately didn’t think about too much before trying, and seeing how it unfolded on stage was really satisfying. Online, I did a collection of improvised dinner parties/interviews with improvisers from around the world I was really pleased with.”

Part of rehearsing a show:

Andy: The moment where you think “Oh! This idea isn’t a totally insane risk! It’s just the right amount of risk…” 

Robin: When you’re finding the possibilities of something and getting excited by that.

Thing about performing:

Rosie: When you’re feeling a bit lost for a second and then your team mates surprise you and you know they have your back.

Andy: It’s selfish, but getting a laugh that I didn’t expect. Or being surprised by a line somebody else said and watching the improviser be surprised by the impact of what came out of their own mouth. The energy it gives them is great to see.

Robin: Remembering that silence from an audience isn’t necessarily boredom. 

Quote: 

Andy: “Sometimes, you just can’t think of a quote. Sorry.” 

Robin: “Hold on tightly, let go lightly.” Can’t remember who it came from, but I’ve always liked it. 

Thing about the improv industry at the moment:

Andy: On a personal note, I think it;s how diversity is increasing over time. Particularly how much queerer improv is than it was 5 years ago. As a very boring cis-gay gay guy, it’s lovely to see more people being themselves in a really joyful way. People just jumping into romantic relationships on stage without worrying about gender, etc. I feel like improv came back from the pandemic 70% gayer and I’m here for it. I think we still have a way to go in other areas of diversity, but I’m happy to celebrate this one for now.

Robin: I miss some of the things that were there before Covid, but I like the way it’s had a chance to re-shape itself after that. Something like AndAlso in Brighton, with all its online classes for instance, is not something that would have been so possible pre-Covid; a bit like working from home.

Thing about this year so far? 

Andy: I’ve quit caffeine and I think I have my brain back.

Robin: Plans. And trying to execute them step by step.

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