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 find out about Beansville presents: Video Store

Date: 4th – 7th August
Time: 19:30
Price: £10 Concession £8
Location: The Courtyard Theatre
Ticket Link: https://camdenfringe.com/events/beansville-presents-video-store/

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

We’ve been performing as Beansville for the last few years, a name that kept coming up organically as a location in rehearsals, and we thought it sounded fun. Plus we had a deadline to get posters printed and really needed something to write on them. The show Video Store is named simply after what it is: audiences are invited into a video store – think Blockbuster, back in the day – to choose the genre and title of the movie they want to see.

Tell us a little bit about your style of show?

It’s narrative improv, so we improvise an entire movie based on audience suggestions, with a focus on character, story, and comedy. It’s silly and funny, and you might even feel your heartstrings getting tugged as well. Plus, being a video store, if the video wasn’t properly rewound last time, we might accidentally start with the final scene… don’t worry, we’ll figure it out.

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

Our friends Tales from the Wasteland will be performing at the fringe, so we’re looking forward to catching up with them. And, given our love of movies, Hasta La Vista, Bibby! looks fascinating.

How are rehearsals going? 

As an improv show, no two rehearsals – or shows – are ever the same, and we’re having great fun exploring the different genres, characters, stories, and absurdities that Video Store can bring. A horror where people turn into jelly? A rom com between septuagenarian gardeners? A western with a sheriff dreaming of Hollywood stardom? The possibilities are endless.

What is the best thing about performing at the Camden fringe?

This is our Camden debut, so we’re really excited about bringing the show to a whole new audience, where so many other performers are doing their thing throughout the area. Having fringed elsewhere before, the best thing about it is how much talent from around the country is all in one place.

London can be an expensive place to perform in – what key advice would you give to performers that is a sort of life hack?

You can save money on washing-up liquid if you throw away your crockery after every use.

Who would be your ultimate dream audience member?

Like all improv shows, we love audience members who are willing to shout out ideas when we ask for them – and not when we don’t! Our show is entirely based on audience suggestions, and it doesn’t matter how silly they are. We’d also like Steven Spielberg to come and confirm that the movies we perform every bit as good as his. Maybe better.

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

We’re a movie-based show, and who can forget Spies in Disguise, the animated film where Will Smith’s character turns into a pigeon? No? His character’s surname was Sterling, which seems like a good name for a sterling pigeon.

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

@beansvilleimprov on Instagram and Facebook

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

VHS isn’t dead.

Thank you again for all your support in reading and engaging with the website.

If you want to help support the website then you can! You can buy Holly a cup of tea (and a biscuit!)