The Spontaneity Shop: Performance and training Improvisation company
Home > About > Q And A > Abi Blackmore
- You started improvising with The Spontaneity Shop workshop programme. What made you start?
- Jana (a regular Spontaneity Shop performer) got me involved. She said I'd be perfect for impro because I'm quite spontaneous in life. Being silly is also very important if you're going to improvise. I like exploring relationships too, but it's the chance to behave like a child that I love.
- How long did you do workshops before you felt the need to start performing regularly?
- It was two years after I started impro that we formed The Undersigned. There were some amazingly talented people coming to workshops, so it seemed an obvious progression.
- What is The Undersigned?
- The Undersigned are a bunch of people from the Spontaneity Shop workshops. We've been together for two years.
- How did you go about forming your own group?
- Catherine, Peter, Nathalie, Natalie and I entered the London TheatreSports Cup twice. The first year, we sucked, but learnt a lot and the second year we were on fire. Deborah offered to direct us in Tell Tales, so we booked the Hen & Chickens for a week and did it. The show sold out, so we did another week which sold out and then they offered us a monthly residency. We've taken a break but we're planning on coming back to the Hen & Chickens with a new format. Very exciting and top secret.
- What are the challenges with starting an improv group?
- Um... Not many if you really want to do it. Obviously, you've got to be humongously talented, clever and witty. Those are the basics.
- What are the joys?
- It's great when everyone's together during a show. When we're all on the same page and making each other laugh. It's fun to try out different stuff too and really challenge ourselves. That can often lead to the best work.
- What's your favourite Undersigned memory?
- Probably the first week of Tell Tales. I was proud of what we'd achieved and amazed at how talented everyone was. Also, that second TheatreSports Cup, when the Grand Theft Impro team challenged us to a musical scene which was their forte. We did a rap and it brought the house down. It was so stupid yet totally awesome. I have some amazing memories of early workshop shows too.
- Would you recommend forming your own group?
- Yes. What have you got to lose? It can be refreshing to humiliate yourself in public and that's the worst that can happen. If that puts you off, you probably shouldn't do it.
- Where do The Undersigned perform and how often?
- We mostly play with each other at the Hen & Chickens in Islington, but you'll find an Undersignatory in any Hell on Heels show and the occasional Spontaneity Shop performance. Natalie and Sonya have been doing DreamDate, which is an amazing show. Check out our website for news.
- How can we get on your mailing list and see more shows?
- Send us your email address and we'll keep you updated. www.theundersigned.co.uk
- You're also an actor and just filmed a sitcom. When can we see that?
- Yes, thank you, Deborah. I'm in the first episode of Pulling on BBC3 in November. You'll have to get the DVD, because I'm in some deleted scenes too. No, you have to.
- How many degrees of separation are you from Kevin Bacon?
- I got this off the Internet: Abigail Blackmore was in The Criminal (1999) with Bernard Hill, Bernard Hill was in True Crime (1999) with Nancy Giles, Nancy Giles was in Loverboy (2005) with Kevin Bacon. So, that's three. I knew playing the Arsey Barmaid would get me places.
- Would you rather accept an Oscar or wield a light saber?
- Do you mean, would I rather do some quality work or any old thing as long as I'm making chief wonga? Let's think. Ooh, I just don't know. That last bit was sarcastic.
