Featuring an entertaining, witty, and sharp cast, the show doesn’t just guarantee a night filled with amusement; but also provides a safe space for underrepresented genders to unleash their talents to an audience. It features a rotating cast made up of women and non- binary comedians, and runs at the ADC Theatre from Thursday 25th November- Saturday 27th November at 11:00pm.

Bea Beressi (co-director):

What made you want to direct Comic Sans?

I was in the show in 2019 and it was incredible fun: I had never been involved in any comedy and never done anything on stage before, and the show allows people like me – who have little to no experience with anything to do with the theatre – to gain the confidence to get on stage. I really wanted to contribute to giving this opportunity to other people. The desire to direct the show was selfish: the workshops are as fun for us as for our performers, they are the highlight of my week.

What is your vision for the show and outcomes you would like to see?

I would like to see the performers and the audience have as much fun as each other, to enjoy a collaborative night of spontaneous hilariousness.

How have you found the whole process?

Exciting, fun and inspiring. Our cast are talented and wonderful to work with. It’s satisfying to see them improve each week as they grow comfortable with each other and learn to use the skills we are teaching in the workshops.

How have you found it going from being in the show to directing?

It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to encourage students with little experience, and to see them gain confidence to try new things every week. I’ve never had any experience directing before, and it’s so satisfying to feel the show start to come together as the weeks progress. I can’t wait for the performance: because I want the performers to have fun, and because I want to watch!

Izzie Harding-Perrott (co-director)

What made you want to direct Comic Sans?

I was involved in the show in 2020 as a performer and it was hands down the most wholesome, hilarious, and fun experience I had ever had when putting on a show. From then on, I knew wholeheartedly that I wanted to be involved in putting together the next instalment of this wonderful show. I especially wanted to get more people involved in comedy and open up accessibility to those who missed out on so many performance opportunities due to the pandemic – ten out of our cast of 13 are first or second years! I also absolutely LOVE leading workshops and teaching comedy skills, so I knew it would be a great fit for me!

What is your vision for the show and outcomes you would like to see?

I want everyone involved to have an amazing and affirming time, and for us to produce some incredible comedy together! As the show has received such wonderful reviews in the past, I knew we had a lot to live up to, to make sure we produced such high quality stuff. I can now say that I have complete confidence in our AMAZING and super-talented cast to do just that! I cannot wait for everyone to see the show in its final form – we will certainly be continuing the tradition of this being one of the funniest shows in Cambridge!

I wanted to show our cast that comedy and performance can be really fun and confidence-boosting, and I really hope to see them go on to do some more in the future.

How have you found the whole process?

“They’ve been a lovely pressure-and-judgement-free space, which is so valuable especially for a show like this”

I’ve loved every second of the process – we have two two-hour rehearsals each week which take the style of really relaxed workshops, where we teach everyone the improv skills needed for the shows. These sessions are truly so stress-relieving and fun (perfect to counteract the Cambridge stress bubble). I know that for both the cast and the directing team, they’ve been a lovely pressure-and-judgement-free space, which is so valuable especially for a show like this which is comprised of only female, non-binary and genderqueer comics. From a directorial point of view, it’s been amazing to see the cast making new connections and building up their own confidence over the course of the rehearsal period.

How have you found it going from being in the show to directing?

Co-directing Comic Sans has been my first experience directing a full improvised sketch show, and I’ve had such a wonderful time. I always look forward to leading the workshops as the genuine highlights of my week, as they are such a precious space to be in. It’s strangely nostalgic to get back into the rehearsal room and to be leading the group instead of being in the cast, and it makes me think about just how much has changed in the last two years. But I couldn’t be prouder of them all, and I couldn’t think of a better cast and crew to be reviving Comic Sans with! I am especially looking forward to being able to watch all the performances from the audience this time round!!

Toria White (improvisor)

How have you found the process?

Much less nerve wracking than I expected! It’s honestly so cool to be in a completely safe space where I feel like I can be as silly as I like and try new things without any pressure whatsoever. Everyone involved with putting this together has done such a good job of creating this really relaxed, low pressure environment where I feel like I can try anything, which I think is the perfect breeding ground for comedy.

How would you like audiences to react to the show?

I’d love them to laugh! I think watching improv can sometimes feel more nerve wracking for the audience! So I’d like them to come away feeling like improv isn’t anything scary, but is actually a more relaxed atmosphere than other kinds of performance.

Naima Clarvis (improvisor)

What made you want to take part in Comic Sans?

Since coming to Cambridge I’ve really gotten into the improv scene, went to a few workshops and when this opportunity came up to work towards a show with a bunch of great people I couldn’t not try out! I was especially interested because those who identify as women and non-binary were encouraged to audition which I thought would create a fabulous group dynamic, and I wasn’t wrong!

How have you found the process?

I’ve loved how getting closer to everyone throughout the process has coincided with more whacky scenes and moments. I also love some of the games we play – especially mind meld!!

What have you learnt from the experience?

I already feel like I’ve gotten an abundance of wonderful things out of this, highlights including the amazing feeling of constantly stretching your imagination – I genuinely leave rehearsals so happy because part of it feels like how you’d play when you were a kid, just saying anything that springs to mind and it’s funny to you and others. It’s a wonderful feeling.