The Spontaneity Shop: Performance and training Improvisation company
Home > About > Q And A > Make A Wish
- Petria Aylen, you've produced The Make A Wish Theatresports Cup for three years in a row. What is it?
- The Theatresports Make a Wish Cup is a comedy event that happens every year in London. It features around 12 teams of improvisers from various companies across London (or even the UK) - some professional performers and some just doing it for fun We have 2 nights of heats where 6 teams battle it out for a place in the grand final. Each night consists of various Theatresports games with as much involvement from the audience as possible. We have three judges who score each performance and the team with the highest score wins. The team who wins the grand final get to take home the much coveted Make A Wish Theatresports Cup. Ultimately, we aim to raise as much money as possible for the Make a Wish foundation who grant wishes to terminally ill children aged, 3-17. Money is raised through sponsorship, ticket sales, raffles, team fees and donations. Last year we raised £1700.
- What was the inspiration for it?
- Inspiration came through a small group of us wanting to do something for the Make a Wish foundation. Ashton Bishop, an improviser from Australia, who started the whole thing, thought it would be a great way to raise money and bring London's best improvisers together for three nights while promoting Theatresports more in London.
- Why Make A Wish?
- Ashton had worked with Make a Wish in Australia and wanted to help the cause in the UK. We wanted to help a charity that works with children. It is quite a unique charity in that it grants some amazing wishes to sick children, such as going to Disneyland or meeting a famous actor. It really does make dreams come true and to us that is pretty amazing.
- How can improv groups or individuals get involved?
- I would love to hear from people wanting to get involved. Best to email details through and areas of interest and I can keep them on the mailing list for when we start organising the next event. petmooks@hotmail.com
- When will the next Make A Wish be?
- At present we are looking at early next year. Best to watch for updates on The Spontaneity Shop website (this one!)
- How can you get involved if you're not an improviser?
- We are always looking for sponsorship, prizes, ticket sales, audience, runners or anyone with experience in marketing, as well as players.
- What's your favourite Make A Wish Theatresports Cup memory?
- This is a hard one as so many memories from so many talented players but on a more emotional note, I loved it when young Sophie from our Make a Wish family sang her favourite song. She spends most of her time in hospital so it brought a tear to my eye seeing her up there having fun.
- What do you get out of producing it?
- I get a lot of satisfaction, especially when the audience are laughing, the feedback is positive and the shows are packed out. The fact that we are making a very ill young person's dream come makes all the hard work worth it.
- Would you like some assistant producers or do you have it all under control?
- Would love some extra help, I will never say no to anyone who wants to help out.
- What's your maxim for life?
- Life's short, make the most of it!!
- How many degrees of separation between you and Kevin Bacon?
- I am not sure, but I know I was crazy about him in Footloose!
- Would you rather receive an Oscar or wield a light saber?
- Big Star Wars fan so definitely the light saber!
