Kent-based improvisation duo, Julie Flower and Sarah Davies, have been performing together since 2017 and this year are presenting a new show at the Faversham Fringe, ‘The Improvised Surprise Party’. I love hearing about unique improv ideas and was intrigued by their party-planning-gone-wrong concept, which will be at the festival for one night only on the opening weekend. I recently had the opportunity to ask the pair some questions about the show, their time in Edinburgh this Summer and plans for Faversham.
How did you both meet and what made you decide to join forces to form an improvisation duo?
We first met on an improvisation retreat in Dorset organised by legendary Brighton-based improv group, The Maydays. We enjoyed working together, got talking and realised that we lived only a few miles from each other in Kent. So, we both love improv and we live near to each other. Add into the mix the fact that we look similar but are a foot different in height, and we were both curious about duo work, and the idea of Twinprov was born!
You’ve just returned from Edinburgh, having performed with Absolute Improv, Nice Things and Friends, Improv Sponta-Deity, The Electro Impro Gameshow and Improbotics. How was your festival experience for 2025?
It was incredibly creative, inspiring, exciting and….exhausting! We really love immersing ourselves in the Fringe; seeing new work and absorbing the electric atmosphere sets us up nicely for the year! Plus, guesting with some fabulous shows and companies always stretches and develops us as performers. And luckily, we quite like rain…although the weather was very kind this year.
Faversham Fringe is just around the corner. What can you tell me about your new show ‘The Improvised Surprise Party’, which is part of this year’s festival lineup?
‘The Improvised Surprise Party’ is an hour of spontaneous silliness, with plenty of audience interaction. This new show sees us, as Twinprov, taking up party planning, but the truth is that we’re really rubbish at it! There will be a real party atmosphere right from the beginning. The show will include party-themed twists on familiar improv games and a special version of our popular ‘Chekhov’s Pie’ (pie-in-the-face) format, that we have performed widely, including in Oslo, Brighton and, on 20th September, at Maidstone Improv Festival. ‘The Improvised Surprise Party’ is a brand new show and we are delighted to debut it at the wonderful Faversham Fringe.
Audiences get to join you for an immersive improvised party. How are you combining improvisation with audience interaction?
We love the idea of creating a world that an audience can really be a part of, and in this show, the audience will get to not only experience our world, but they’ll have to help us build it in the first place! No spoilers here, but let’s just say that without their input and our improvisation, there will be no party, AND as soon as they enter the room they’ll feel fully submerged!
If you could describe the show in one word, what would it be and why?
Joyful! Because it’s all about the simple yet powerful playfulness, fun and humanity of a party. And we expect the soundtrack to be pretty epically joyful, and nostalgic, too!
What are you most looking forward to at this year’s Faversham Fringe?
So many things! It’s unbelievable to have such a jam-packed and creative programme of shows right on our doorsteps. We love the concept of the show ‘Letters You’ll Never Send.’ For improv, you’ll be spoiled for choice, including our friends in the excellent Flock Improv and No Name Nomads. Constant Lark always produce brilliant theatre and ‘The Chef Who Went on an Adventure’ looks so fun. For unbridled silliness, ‘Blood Me Up, Marjorie!’ looks a hoot. And finally, we’ll be back for a second time to see Ribs Norman’s ‘Mumorial’, which really is powerful stuff!
Watching Twinprov at this year’s Faversham Fringe
It was brilliant to hear more about the show from Julie and Sarah. It certainly sounds like they are bringing the party spirit to the Faversham Fringe, and I am sure we can all relate to the idea of the planning going wrong! You can catch them in action with ‘The Improvised Surprise Party’ at the Alexander Centre: Charter Room in Faversham on Friday 3rd October. The performance starts at 7pm and tickets can be purchased via the festival website.
Julie is also bringing the solo show ‘Grandma’s Shop’ back to the festival on Sunday 5th October at 4pm. I raved about this at last year’s Edinburgh and Faversham Fringe festivals and you don’t want to miss it!
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