Edinburgh Fringe Q&A: Notflix take being silly very seriously

After the success of three sell-out Fringe runs, the all-female Notflix group are returning to the festival with their latest improvised comedy musical.

Based on an audience suggestion of a favourite movie, the cast and live band of Notflix: Binge improvise scenes, songs and vocals with no preparation or planning.

Here, the group’s Aisling Groves-McKeown answers our questions ahead of the festival kicking off next month…

How are you feeling ahead of returning to the Fringe?

It feels like a type of homecoming. Even though we are London based, Notflix really cut its teeth at the Fringe. We love the buzz of being surrounded by so many creatives, from all over, in one beautiful city. Thanks to the hiatus we feel even more energised and appreciative than ever.

What can audiences expect when they come to see Notflix: Binge?

A group of actresses and musicians that take being silly very seriously. The audience suggests a film and we turn it into an hour long joy-filled, high energy comedy musical.

You’ll see the iconic moments and characters from the films you love (or love to hate), mixed with pop culture references, original catchy tunes, physical comedy and a lot of heart.

How daunting / exciting do you find the thrill of improv and putting the show into the hands of an audience suggestion?

Personally, I love it. I find it really thrilling that there is no time to plan or discuss the show. As soon as the audience decides on the film, the piano starts  and we begin singing the opening number.

From then on in, nobody goes offstage and you just have to hop on the wild ride that is the show. I love the challenge of working together as a team to create something that is entertaining but makes sense as a story, while giving the audience the parts of the film we know they want to see.

Every audience member writes down the film they want to see, along with a short synopsis, on a piece of paper, two are picked from “the bucket of destiny” and then the audience votes for which one they want to see.

The added element of the synopsis is really fun as we aren’t just giving them the film, but we are giving them the version of the film they want to see.

For example, our musical version of Titanic ended with the song “Land Ahoy” because that particular audience member said they’d left the film early and assumed it had a happy ending.

What put you on the path to a career in comedy?

The great thing about Notflix is that the main cast all have different backgrounds and strengths. We have actor-musicians, people highly skilled in physical comedy, multi linguists, cheerleaders, ballerinas, those with lots of experience in submersive, interactive and site specific theatre, those trained in musical theatre, and one particular member who has vast professional experience when it comes to Shakespeare.

Every single one of those elements ends up being utilised when we do a run at the Edinburgh fringe. When it comes to me personally, my professional actor credits include a lot of  devised theatre. This means that I had experience in creating my own work before discovering the world of improvised theatre.  I think this helped me be brave when it came to making choices and just going for it when it came to improvised comedy.

I’ve also always loved doing comedy as an actress; playing about with different voices, characters and physicalities and the fun of bouncing off other people in a comedic scene.

If you had to pick one item that’s essential for surviving a month at the Fringe, what would that be?

Let’s be real here…. a raincoat.

The Edinburgh Fringe can throw up some surprises – especially with an improv show – what is the strangest moment you can remember from the festival?

Sometimes the films the audience chooses can be a bit surprising! One year we had to perform 4 different iterations of Dunkirk.

Another time, there was a face off between a mother and daughter and the audience went for My Little Pony.

What do you think it is about the Edinburgh Fringe that attracts people from all around the world to come to watch and also to perform?

As a performer, it’s really energising and inspiring being surrounded by so many other creators and such a variety of theatre and comedy. When it comes to the Fringe, I think there is something in the thrill of discovery and possibility, the idea that you could accidentally stumble across the best, worst or weirdest thing you’ve ever seen.

Without sounding too mystical, there is something in the air at the Fringe, there is the feeling that anything could happen, that you never know how the day will end!  I mean.. I met my son’s father there!

What is your favourite one-liner?

Exasperated Jurassic Park scientist: “F*** the dinosaurs!”

Richard Attenborough: “You should never f*** the dinosaurs.”

Or Rose in Titanic saying “Objectify me like one of your French girls.”