Whilst studying for my film production degree, I decided all actors were crazy for wanting to perform in front of people. So I was surprised to find myself on stage at the end of an improv course, loving the experience. Between those two points, I spent a lot of time writing and working on short films, but once I had experienced improv, it became my main obsession.
As well as Classic Andy, I have enjoyed improvising with James Irving as ‘James and I’ and as part of The Nursery Theatre mainstage team ‘All the Normal People’.
I’m a London based Actor, Musician, secret Ninja, Improviser and a graduate of the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. When I started improvising it was as a means of staying sane between acting engagements, the logic being they are basically the same thing anyway*. While training I met Classic Andy and forged a family of like-minded idiots who would pursue the bounds of foolery with me**
My hobbies include: Rock Climbing, Carpentry, board games and vanishing in a puff of smoke. When not performing with Classic Andy you can also find me improvising as a cast member of Impromptu Shakespeare, Music Box and my two hander improvised play with James Haskin, James & I***
*So is being a Secret Ninja.
**As far as I know none of them are secret Ninjas. They could be much better at it than me though.
***You won’t ever see me being a secret Ninja though.
I grew up in Sydney and moved to England in 2004. I joined the improv scene in 2014, after reading Bossy Pants by Tina Fey. Having caught the improv bug, I now perform regularly as part of Classic Andy, and work on writing projects for the web. I’ve been a guest performer on the LIL show, and Breaking & Entering’s The Playground, and I live with my husband in a leafy suburb of South-East London.
I find walking onto a stage with no idea what’s going to happen a constant joy. I’m fascinated by people and constantly try to smuggle improv techniques and games into my work in strategy and organisational development consultancy. I have improvised at The Playground at The Miller and as a solo improviser at Diamonds Comedy in Madrid. I have also performed extensively in scripted theatre on the amateur circuit.
When I’m not enjoying a heady mix of improv and work, you can find me researching architectural history, improving my Spanish and trying my hand at stand-up comedy and TV presenting.
I have graced the stage from a young age, and have been fortunate enough to land leading roles such as Card Number 7 in Alice in Wonderland and the highly reviewed Back End of a Tap Dancing Pantomime Cow, “memorable”, “5 stars”, “one to watch”.
(Emma is an actress who has been performing on the stage for the last 16 years. She has toured the UK and internationally in both theatre and cabaret shows and has recently started stand-up and comedy sketch. You have been warned.)
I’m South London born & bred, which is why just like Belle I left when I was 19 in search of ‘something more than this urban and cultured life’. I found Yorkshire. Via China. And stayed in the paradise that is ‘The North’ for a solid ten years, where I learned how to ‘Acting BA’. Then moved to Vancouver, where I learned the ancient art of making a tit of oneself (aka improv). Thankfully I’ve been titting about most of my life so already had a little practice.
With the help of Vancouver Theatre Sports League, Instant Theatre and Second Storey, I learned to harness my tit-ability and now find myself in this beautiful group of fellow tit-makers. So I’m back where it all began, in sunny south London.
Every year I try to take a course in something new in order to challenge myself. One year the shortlisted options were aikido, improv and harmonica – which were put to a vote on Facebook. Improv tied with harmonica, but it was half the price for a class, so naturally I find myself in Classic Andy a year later. When I took the belly-dancing class, I was not as keen or successful.
When not having fun with Classic Andy, I live a stereotypical middle-aged existence – married, full time office job, gardening club and middle class dinner parties.
