Ladies who Improv will debut at the Women In Comedy Festival UK. This fresh new team is made up of hilarious local Manchester based improvisers. Expect big energy, fun characters and lots of entertaining games.
Women in Comedy is a comedy festival founded in 2012 by Hazel O’Keefe. The festival aims to be an accessible and supportive event that celebrates, champions and promotes all things funny and female across a variety of platforms.
We chatted to Ladies Who Improv ahead of the show.
What can you tell me about the show?
LADIES WHO IMPROV will debut at the Women in Comedy Festival UK on 10th October. This fresh new team is made up of four hilarious Manchester based improvisers who will play a variety of improv games. We will embrace the weird and wonderful and use audience suggestions to create a lot of fun and improv magic.
Where did the group begin and how did you guys come together?
The four of us met through the Manchester improv scene, which is really starting to grow and develop in the city. We have all done a variety of improv courses but it was the ComedySportz Intermediate showcase that made us realise we need to keep this going. After that show, we decided we wanted to continue as a new team, and that is where LADIES WHO IMPROV was created.
Where did your own improv journey begin and how do you go about honing those skills?
I was introduced to improv through actor training at a summer school at Bristol Old Vic about eight years ago. My teacher recommended continuing with it and from there, my love for improv grew and grew. I began attending regular drop in sessions and courses at Bristol Improv Theatre alongside working in a department store. It was really the only fun thing I did for many years, to be honest. Eventually I left the retail world and began to focus more on my comedy writing and acting. I have taken part in some amazing improv courses over the years including The Second City and Hoopla. At the moment, I love dropping into any workshop or class I can. I attend drop in classes now with ComedySportz Manchester and they’re always great fun, collaborative and incredibly worthwhile.
How have you been preparing for the performance when you’ve no script to work with?
I actually find being without a script so enjoyable and freeing. Myself and the other three players have been meeting up and rehearsing over the past few weeks. I say rehearsing, but essentially it’s playing and embracing each other's suggestions and going from there. LADIES WHO IMPROV is a short form improv show, so we have been playing lots of improv games and enjoying playing them each session. We have even been working on creating a new game, which has been really exciting (but we are not sure if we will debut it yet!)
How excited are you to be taking part in the Women In Comedy Festival?
Unbelievably so! I have only been to the festival as a viewer, so to perform is so exciting! Women in Comedy Festival has grown a lot in the past few years and the programme has got even more varied and entertaining each year. Our cast members are so excited to show everyone what we’ve got and to be part of the festival this year.
What is it that you like about this festival?
It is such a great festival showcasing women in all their funny glory. Having done the Edinburgh Fringe in the summer, it can feel a little daunting and there are like thousands of shows. This festival is intimate and has been very supportive and encouraging in all aspects. I really think over the next few years it will grow and maybe become a female version of the late great VAULT festival.
What would an improvised show about you be called?
Oooh, that is a hard one. Maybe something like ‘Thoroughly Improvised Millie’. Maybe with some musical numbers added in.
What would be your advice to anyone looking to get into improv?
Why not try it? The first session might feel more like name games and maybe a bit nerve wracking but it gets easier. The fun really comes after that, when you can be silly, relax and just have a good time with new people. If you are interested then please do get in touch and we can recommend lots of improv drop ins and courses around Manchester, London and Bristol. There is a lot more than you might realise.
What would you hope an audience member takes away from seeing the show?
‘How did they think on their feet like that?’ or ‘Wow, these four women are funny’. Outside of that, I guess maybe that they want to see more comedy and improv shows in Manchester because they enjoyed it so much. If that is the case, please do go check out the Women in Comedy Festival, as there is so much to see.
Where can people see you guys perform and follow your journey going forwards?
Our debut show LADIES WHO IMPROV will be on the 10th October at the Lost Cat at 8.30pm. You can expect big energy, fun characters and lots of entertaining games. All future shows will be promoted through our social media channels. Please follow us on instagram at @thirsty_productions for more fun behind the scenes antics!
Tickets are available for the show on Thursday 10th October 2024 https://wicf.ticketsolve.com/ticketbooth/shows/87364721
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