During Wrexham Comedy Festival there will be a chance to get involved in a beginners guide to improv workshop.

Lead by Angie Waller and Trev Fleming you will engage in spontaneous, unscripted scenes, honing quick-thinking and communication skills. With games and exercises to encourage collaboration and bold choices, all in a supporting atmosphere to help you unleash your comedic potential.

We sat down with them both to find out more…

How did you each get into improv comedy?

Trev - I first auditioned for a show directed by the late great Ken Campbell in 2004, I earned a spot on the cast for the show which was called ‘ Farting Around in Disguises’. It was a crazy show full of ups and downs (I broke my foot one evening). I caught the Improv bug there I suppose.

Angie - I fancied Trev so went along to some workshops that I knew he’d be at.

Tell us about one of your favourite moments during an improv performance?

Trev - That's a tricky question as there have been so many over the years. The best moments are when you're in tune with your stage mates and are supporting each other. Although any time you're part of an animatronic erotic fountain is good.

Angie - That is hard! My happy place is improvised singing so my favourite bits are usually songs.

What makes improv so different to any other type of comedy?

Trev - There's no safety net. With stand up or sketch you've got your script to fall back on, with Improv that's not there. It's a contract between cast and audience to go on the journey together. And it can go to some amazing places.

Angie - I love how the audience and performers discover things at the same time as no-one knows what’s coming up until it happens. As Trev said, it’s a journey & that journey is a totally shared experience. Improv is also about supporting your fellow performers, rather than trying to outfunny someone. We’re taught that your main aim is to make your scene partner look good. And when everyone is doing that the results are great. Also, if you go wrong…it really doesn’t matter!

What can people expect from the workshop?

Trev - It's an introduction to Improv so exactly that. We'll show basic yet trusted techniques used by improv companies over the world. We'll play games and do scenes that will all have a teaching element folded in. You'll learn and laugh.

Angie - There will be a lot of laughing!

What would you say to anyone thinking of attending the workshop but isn’t quite sure?

Trev - What's the worst that can happen? Part of Improv is in embracing the unknown. We don't know what's going to happen in a scene but we go with it. You might be sat there thinking ‘What if I suck?’ but how's about ‘ What if you don't?’.

Angie - So many people say they can’t do improv…but everyone does it, every day. No-one works off a script. Performing improv is just an extension of that.

Who are some of your favourite improv performers and why?

Trev - Mark Meer is an Improv legend and also the lead in one of my favourite computer games so he gets double points. Chris Mead is a beautiful human being and amazing Improv performer and coach.

Angie - The Showstopper performers are wonderful. They’re improvised musicals are inspired. And Mark Meer is brilliant to perform with as he makes everyone he’s on stage with feel great.

What’s coming up for the rest of the year and beyond?

Trev - I've been jobbing actor-ing for most of this year so lots of auditioning and travelling and a nice bit of work. I've a one man show at the Everyman theatre in Liverpool in October which is one part autobiography and one part wine tasting.

Angie - My alter ego Nana Funk has a few shows coming up. Tough Old Bird which is a musical comedy challenging how we’re treated as we get older in society. And An Evening With Nana Funk is a cabaret show including improvised song section “Ask Nana” where I answer audience questions on the spot…in song.

To book Wrexham Comedy Festival, click here.