Today we interview the multi-talented, improvisational comedy troupe, The Noise Next Door. Having performed at the Brighton Fringe in May earlier this year, this talented troupe of 5 young men are now bringing their amazing skills to the Edinburgh Fringe.
Their show, The Improphecy Chronicles consists of shortform improv sketches. Being spontaneous and completely audience driven this is a wonderful interactive artform where anything can happen! So let’s chat with the Boys to learn more about them and their show…
1. What made you become an improvised comedy troupe?
Individually our backgrounds are quite diverse – Sam and Charlie have a great performance and teaching history routed in Commedia Dell’Arte, Tom H and Sam dabble in stand-up, Tom L has a sound history in contemporary performance and Matt is an adept film maker – but what all of these factors had in common was a keen interest in comedy, and having realised this, also thanks to our mutual passion for ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway?’, we all came together around 4 years ago to perform improv at a festival in Kent, and our love for the form has grown and grown ever since. And we decided to go professional having realised that people actually thought we were relatively funny!
2. What is your show about and what should the public expect from your show?
Our show is about anything and everything. Every single show that we perform relies heavily on the audience, and it’s their suggestions that we use to form the basis of the show. It’s really their show, so expect the bizarre, the surreal, and general ludicrousness as we always endeavour to take the first suggestions we hear, whether they seem sensible or not! Essentially it’s pure improv – every show is completely unique.
3. What is your favourite Festival or Fringe and why?
The Edinburgh Fringe is just immense. The sheer volume of shows is astounding and it is a must do for anyone with an interest in theatre. The great thing about Edinburgh is the diverse range of content and the ever responsive audiences, and we can’t wait to play at C Central throughout August in our first full Edinburgh run.
The Glastonbury Festival is also fantastic, and incredibly under-rated in terms of theatre and comedy. The music is good, but it’s always worth checking out the other aspects of the weekend.
4. What’s your best advice for aspiring artist/performers on the Festival/ Fringe circuit?
The best advice is surely just to get out there and perform. It doesn’t matter where or who to – just to get the experience is what’s important, but it’s also key to make sure you enjoy it at the same time. Otherwise there really is no point.
5. What is your funniest experience performing or attending a Fringe/Festival?
Attending FRACAS, an International Improv Festival in Los Angeles was a great experience, especially having been the first ever English troupe to attend. It was strange as our improv differed greatly from that of the Americans, but it was fascinating. The trouble was, the audience, knowing our nationality, attempted to put us off throughout the entire show by constantly giving suggestions centred around American history and politics. It was great fun though, and we essentially rewrote American history through the power of improv!
We’ve had some other odd experiences mostly involving audience members, as we often bring them on stage and that can be perilous. One guy was so drunk he had to be escorted from the building. It made the scene quite funny though!
6. As you travel performing at different festivals/fringes, what is your favourite place to vacation and chill out and why?
Having performed at FRACAS in LA we travelled up the coast of California to Santa Barbara which is an amazing place to spend time. Full of sun, sand and sea it’s just a wonderful spot place to relax.
We should also mention Brighton, another quality city to spend time in. We’re now based there and it’s just such a vibrant and diverse city with a beautiful setting on the south coast, great weather and loads to do. It’s also nice living in a city close to London without the hustle and bustle of London itself.
7. Who is the person you most admire and why?
Comedy wise, we’re all massive Rowan Atkinson and John Cleese as they are both so integral to the history of British comedy. Individually, Sam has always been fascinated by the work of Andy Kaufman, Matt is a mad Jim Carey fan and Tom L and Charlie are intrigued by Dario Fo.
8. What is the best tip you’ve ever been given?
We attended an improv conference, where a member of renowned comedy troupe The Swarm said, “Anything you ever do or learn, you will use.” Brilliant!
9. What is the best book you have ever read and why do you like it?
We’ve all read a whole host of books and picking one out is incredibly difficult, but Charlie would like to point out that he loves Hemingway’s ‘Old Man Of The Sea’!
10. If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
Blimey. Changing tact a little there. Probably less war, more comedy!
