Rosie Stanley is a 3rd year Philosophy student at Bristol University.
So can you give us a quick introduction to ImprovSoc?
ImprovSoc is the universityâs only improvisational comedy society, a performing arts technique where you make things up on the spot. We host fortnightly comedy shows, not unlike âWhose Line Is It Anywayâ, that provide a great opportunity for those who have stage fright or want to try out experimental forms of comedy in a non-judgemental, friendly environment.
How did you get involved in the society?
Just by accident! I happened to catch Bristol Improv Soc at the Edinburgh Festival the summer before I came to Uni and was instantly hooked!
What do you think makes Improv comedy special?
It has this unique, chilled out energy that comes from not knowing what youâre going to say before you say it. Improvisation also involves a lot of trust, and you can foster these really strong relationships with the other people youâre performing with- a kind of âhiveâ mentality. Â
A frequent allegation levelled against female comedians is that ‘women can’t be funny’, what is your response to this?
It makes me so cross. We hear a lot of people, particularly girls, saying âOh, Iâm not funny enough to do Improvâ. If youâre funny enough to make your friends laugh then you are a funny person, regardless of gender. People only really see male comedians on panel shows and doing stand-up, but there are some incredibly funny women out there.
Improv Soc has a larger ratio of women to men on its committee; do you think females are drawn to Improv for any specific reason? As a society we pride ourselves on creating a safe space for comedy- we have a zero-tolerance policy towards sexist, racist and homophobic jokes. I think knowing that youâre not going to be laughed at for your race, sexuality or gender really helps.
Do you have a favourite female comedian? Yes: Imogen Palmer. I donât know if itâs cheating because she was part of ImprovSoc whilst she was at Bristol but she does this weird, bizarre style of comedy thatâs absolutely hilarious. Anyone whoâs reading this should definitely check her out on YouTube!
Tell us a joke! Oh no⊠I got told a really horrible joke the other day but I donât think itâs appropriate. A man walks into a barâŠ. Ouch? That was really awful- sorry. *
* If you would like to hear the less appropriate joke that Rosie told me after the interview was over then you’ll have to come along to improvsoc and ask her yourself!
ImprovSoc is always welcoming new members! If you would like to get involved please join the Facebook group: Bristol Improv 14/15.
Interviewed by Sophie Kelleher