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 Owen from the group SaSS Improv (SaSS stands for Spontaneity and Sheffield Steel). On the 4th of May at the Theatre Deli in Sheffield, they are hosting a show called Improvision with a very unique twist to celebrate Eurovision being just around the corner.

Think Eurovision but created by a bunch of chaotic improvisers. Owen is a fan of I am a genuine Eurovision fan – so the whole show comes from a place of love.

What is your Favourite:

Improv style:

I like a range. I am very into improv as theatre, but also into improv as cabaret.

The Improvision show is more the chaos end of improv with a bit of cabaret.

Short form game:

I love New Choice – simple scenework with a little added twist.

Great for learning, great for performing.

Improv act:

I love Chris Mead and Katy Schutte as project 2. Also really enjoyed the last coupld of shows I have seen from Derek’s Mojo.

Also going to throw Liam and Lloydie as Clones

Film or television show:

Difficult question!

Reeves and Mortimer (both “Smell of and Bang Bang” still massively influence everything I do).

Favourite recent TV show Extraordinary was an unexpected hit with me.

Venue to perform at:

I will always have a soft spot for Alphabetti in Newcastle and I have also been lucky to perform a number of times at Unity in Liverpool. I love small black box theatres.

Really sad that improvision will be the first and last show at this version of Theatre Deli Sheffield.

Way to wind down:

I’m not much of a relaxer.

But I love good food and drink. A cocktail, some snacks, and some company is the closest I get to winding down.

Way to warm up:

Its all about people for me – I hate being on my own before a performance

Suggestion:

With my more serious show Living.Dying.Dead – we ask people to share thoughts they might have if they were dying.

“Who’s going to look after the cats?” is one that sticks with me – because it seems like a small thing, but is definitely the sort of thing that someone would think.

Show by another improv act

Jorin Garguilo did a show called Ouroboros at Robin Hood International Improv Festival in 2022 and it was basically the story of his life but with an improv twist. I left that show emotionally bombarded in a very good way.

Memory of a show

As a member of an ensemble group (also at RHIIF 2022) we were performing a format called  Green Room that showed back stage and theatre show being performed.

I often feel at home on stage, but I felt more at home that day.

A non-performing moment was the Let Us Make It Up To You we performed in Sheffield in 2021 – Just after an awful 18 months for me as an Intensive Care doctor – I was saying thank you at the end of the show and could not hold back the tears. I still regularly get tearful at arts events because that is what life is about for me – sharing these created moments.

Part of rehearsing a show

I love creating and trying something new.

Thing about performing

Being on stage is where I am most comfortable – it is the place where I most feel like me – even when I am being someone else.

Quote:

I am currently devoid of quotes…

Thing about the improv  industry at the moment?

The festival circuit around Europe has been an exciting discovery for me over the past few years and I am excited about the growth and number of these events.

It is an opportunity to share the love of improv with people from all over the world – what a privilege it is to step on stage with someone you have never met, from somewhere completely different.

Thing about this year so far?

The SaSS Improv group in Sheffield has grown into a small but really connected community.

Improvision is a chance for a lot of this group to get up on stage together for the first time, but we will also be having guests from outside of the city, which is very exciting.

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