Back once again by popular demand for 2018, our Brighton Bites Q&As offer an, occasionally witty – often hilarious, insight into the acts donning their flip-flops and shades (or high-heels and lippy) to join the line-up of England’s largest arts festival, Brighton Fringe. With 2017 boasting almost 1000 events across 160+ venues and 2018 promising more than 300+ free events to widen access to performances, our Bites aim to give you a taste of what’s in store.
Here, The Make ‘Em Up’s tell us about their show Bumper Blyton: The Improvised Adventure which they’ll be performing at The Warren: Theatre Box.
How would you describe your show in one sentence?
A loving and funny parody of Enid Blyton and the tropes and morals of yesteryear, made up on the spot by award-winning comedians.
Why Brighton Fringe?
Other than the satisfaction of being able to finally say “Blyton in Brighton”?
Brighton has a wonderfully burgeoning improv scene and it’s great to connect with performers outside of London. Also where else can you be guaranteed never to finish an ice-cream due to seagull interference?
How did the show get to where it is today?
We formed back in 2015 after Amy and Jonah the Director and Producer of the show respectively wanted to create a touring improv show that could appeal to a more family-friendly audience than is usual for improvised comedy. We pulled together some of the best-known improvisers in the UK and hired guest directors and coaches to help us improve our skills. Additionally, at each rehearsal, we have a ‘presentation’ section where one of the cast gives a short TedX style talk one some kind of historical fact. Previous examples are James Irving’s talk on drainage and plumbing in the 1940’s or Dan Starkey’s lecture on Public school slang.
What do you think sets your show apart from all the other festival offerings?
It’s the only retro-styled comedy show performed in period costume and just as Enid Blyton would have intended; In a shipping container smelling slightly of MDF and sweat. We also bribe our audience with teacakes and sweets on the way in to make sure they are suitably hopped up on sugar and as hyperactive as the cast!
What’s the show that you don’t want to miss at this year’s Brighton Fringe (apart from your own!)?
We can’t get enough of Butt Kapinski; amazingly confident delivery and clever writing as well as being one if the most engaging clown shows around. Also loved seeing Police Cops in Space at last years EdFringe, well worth catching if there’s time in Brighton. But also, if you went to the Fringe and didn’t watch Ladyboys of Bangkok… you weren’t really there!
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given, or would give, for performing at a fringe festival?
Buy a raincoat. Think of a million different ways to offer a flyer to someone.
If your show was a piece of Brighton Rock, what word would run through it?
“MyOtherRockIsACheeseRoll”
Bumper Blyton: The Improvised Adventure runs at Brighton Fringe on 28 May 2018.
Nicole Craft | Image: Contributed
